Kensington preview: Ryan and Alexiou looking for It’s A Wonder to live up to her ability and break through for a deserved win

Blessed with her fair share of talent, trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou hope It’s A Wonder can pick up a third career when she heads to the Kensington.

It's A Wonder is chasing a third carer win when she heads to the Kensington. Picture: Bradley Photos

On the score of ability, trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou know It’s A Wonder is a genuine winning chance, they just hope the Kensington track is conducive to her pattern.

It’s A Wonder is coming off a strong closing nose second behind Rush Attack in a Rosehill Midway 19 days ago and will appreciate a drop in grade going into the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m).

“She has shown quite a bit of talent but hasn’t quite delivered on what she has promised. She has been her own worst enemy at times,” said Sterling Alexiou.

“She is steadily improving all the time and hopefully we can pick up a city win with her soon.

“It was a good run last start and she is more than capable on winning coming back to this grade.

Rush Attack attacks the line to win the Midway second up at Rosehill for @ZacLloydx and @ndoyleracing! 🙌@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/2E7lt5xSLM

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 22, 2025

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“With a little bit of rain about, down the middle might be the place to be on the Kensington which could suit her barrier and pattern. “There is a possibility we bypass this race and go to the Midway at Rosehill next week. We will just have a good look at this race and make a decision on race morning.”

Alexiou is a little surprised Fleeting Spirit is still a maiden based on what she has shown at home but was pleased with her closing effort when second to Kilonova over 1200m at Rosehill last start.

That run gives the impression she will appreciate the step up in distance in the Drinkwise Maiden Plate (1400m).

“She drew wide first-up at Warwick Farm and raced a bit fresh and keen and knocked up late. She was always going to take plenty of benefit from the run,” he said.

“I would have liked to have seen her settle a bit closer the other day, she just didn’t show the same toe out of the barriers.

“I was more than happy to see her balance up and finish off the way she did.

“The 1400m looks suitable on paper but she still has to go out there and run the trip.

“From the draw, hopefully she can get a nice, cozy run in the first four or five and get to see her strength late.”

Ryan and Alexiou look to have a promising juvenile in Pleasure Queen who makes her debut in the opening event, the Maiden Handicap (1000m) for two-year-old fillies.

💪 The first two races at Rosehill go to @cwallerracing as Kilonova wins with @nashhot controlling the reins!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/8FUWVfAZqK

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 26, 2025

The daughter of Trapeze Artist led and won her Rosehill trial on February 18 before coming from back in the field when a close third in her March heat.

“She had a good gander around when she led so by design, we told Josh (Parr) to put her in behind a few in her last trail to get her used to being among the field and educate her that bit more,” Alexiou said.

“She got to the line very well and he was really happy with what he felt.

“The 1000m might be a touch short of her best but she has drawn a good gate and will acquit herself well.”

Alexiou expected more from Imperial State in his first campaign which yielded a third placings from four starts but hopes he can deliver on his promise this preparation which starts in the Maiden Plate (1100m).

“We have had him gelded and changed a few things at home and seems to be reacting to them well,” he said.

“This looks an ideal race for him. Hopefully he can get a soft run midfield and if he hits the line with the gusto we know he has, he can be right in the finish.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

When Helluva Soiree walked into Luke Pepper’s stables last spring, it was with a plan for the mare to give her a couple of runs and set her for the winter season at Canberra.

Having finally broken through for her maiden win over 1900m on the synthetic track at the Gold Coast, Canberra’s synthetic surface appeared the ideal goal.

Following two fitness runs as she prepared to step up in distance, Helluva Soiree scored back-to-back wins at Orange and the Sapphire Coast over 2100m and 2200m respectively before an unlucky fourth in the Canberra Cup Prelude.

“She has been a bit of surprise packet the way she keeps stepping up so those plans have no changed,” said Pepper.

“She was super at Canberra last start. She got knocked down at a crucial part of the race but picked herself up and still hit the line strong.”

She's one to watch! Apprentice jockey Claire Ramsbotham produces a great ride on Helluva Soiree in the Orange opener 👏 pic.twitter.com/ckOSjJrmTH

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 10, 2025

The daughter of Hellbent is looking to bounce back in the Heat of the Wagga Stayers Series Benchmark 74 Handicap (2000m) with Claire Ramsbotham back on board.

“She is in really good order and I can’t fault her,” he said.

“Claire has got a great understanding of her. She rides her work every day.

“If she wins this race, we may look at a Cups race for her.”

Pepper has been thrilled with the progression of Timeless Grace since she joined his stable earlier this year and is looking forward to her debut in the Two-Year-Old Handicap (1000m).

Having started out with Michael Freedman where she had three trials in Sydney, the daughter of Time To Reign was impressive winning her Moruya trial for Pepper on March 2.

“She has really settled into the stable really well of the back of a few trials in Sydney,” he said.

“We got a feel of her and tried a few different things which has agreed with her and she trialled great at Moruya.

“There are a heap of first starters in this race but she has got a fair bit of experience having had four trials.

“I think she is well prepared for this and is ready to go.”

Pepper couldn’t have been happier with the first-up win of Rippana at Wagga and returns hoping she can win the Class 1 Handicap (1000m).

“It’s never easy coming out of maiden class and winning again but it’s a race we picked out for her.

“We gave her time to get over that first run and she has really impressed us at home.”