The Mornington conditioner Jerome Hunter eagerly awaits Wonder Boy’s next mile outing, this time utilizing the home track familiarity.

On Saturday, Wonder Boy enters the No Fuss Event Hire Handicap (1600m) at Mornington, which could lead to a Brisbane excursion for the four-year-old.

Hunter expressed confidence that Wonder Boy can manage the 1600m without issue now, given the gelding’s increased maturity over the version that ran it 11 months ago as a three-year-old.

Post his 1400m Bendigo Guineas success in April last year, Hunter ventured with Wonder Boy to Brisbane targeting the Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m).

Though forward in the run, Wonder Boy dropped back to sixth in the closing stages.

“He didn’t get much of a chance up at Eagle Farm that day when nothing went right for him,” Hunter said.

“He was up on speed, there was a lot going on, and it didn’t suit him.

“Back on his home track, he’ll be ridden more conservatively, and we’ll see whether he gets the trip or not.”

No victories for Wonder Boy since April’s Bendigo win last year, though Hunter was heartened by the gelding’s second over 1400m at Rosehill last time out, unaffected by the travel.

“He’s done well since Sydney and he has done really well this preparation,” Hunter said.

“Last start, he came up against a pretty good horse, I think.”

With Brisbane return plans this year, Hunter targets the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June for Wonder Boy.

“He would need to get his rating up, but that would be a lovely race to try and get him into,” Hunter said.

“If we get him up there early enough there are some nice lead-up races along the way.”

Discover competitive racing betting markets for the No Fuss Event Hire Handicap via leading sites.