Champion jockey James McDonald has been rewarded for his persistent belief in Columbus, sticking with the horse through a couple of recent defeats to secure a midweek win at Randwick’s Kensington track.
The son of Dundeel, a horse McDonald rode to six Group 1 wins, was initially considered a potential classic contender in the autumn before a setback ruled him out of the carnival. Since returning with a first-up victory at Newcastle in July, the four-year-old has not quite lived up to expectations, having been beaten in two subsequent runs as the favourite.
While his bounce back in Wednesday’s TAB Handicap (1800m) was only in midweek grade, McDonald stated it was a step in the right direction for the entire, who is prepared by Hall of Fame trainer Les Bridge.
“I still reckon he can go better than that,” McDonald said. “He’s just doing enough at the moment. I’m sure Les will coach the best out of him. He’s in the right hands and he’ll go through the grades. He just needs a bit of confidence. He’s a lovely type, as you can see, but there is more to give.”
The Chris Waller stable also presented a winner they believe has more to offer in three-year-old colt Wonka ($4.20). The Snitzel colt led home a first-four for the yard in the Inglis Xtra Bonus Handicap (1550m), defeating Unhinged ($3.60 equal fav) by a length, with Cotoletta Cut ($41) another short half-head away third, and True Tone making ground from last for fourth.
Waller’s assistant trainer, Charlie Duckworth, shared that Wonka was going to be gelded if he did not perform, and while he has earned a reprieve, he still needs to improve his race craft.
Duckworth was also pleased they made the correct decision to step him up in distance, a move that had been debated after his minor placings at Warwick Farm the previous week.
“Jason (Collett) rode him seven days ago and he can be quite aggressive. He wasn’t convinced whether we actually brought him back in distance,” Duckworth said. “But we thought stretching him out in distance might actually settle him down. He runs a little bit on fear, and if the slower tempo could allow him to see the distance out we thought that would be the path to go. It worked out well today, and he was strong through the line.”
Wonka holds nominations for the Golden Rose (1400m) and the Caulfield Guineas (1600m), but Duckworth indicated the horse still has “some kinks in his armour” that need to be ironed out before he rises in grade.
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