Wyong preview: Slow maturing Gardenzio is starting to it all together and could prove hard to catch around his home track

It is taking patience from trainer Kristen Buchanan and the connection of Gardenzio but the lightly-raced four-year-old is starting to put it all together and is ready to show his ability.

Gardenzio will prove hard to catch around his home track of Wyong on Thursday. Picture: Bradley Photos

Four-year-old gelding Gardenzio has always had the ability but a lack of maturity and race craft stood in the way of the gelding delivering on it.

Trainer Kristen Buchanan and jockey Koby Jennings have worked on the gelding and Buchanan is hoping his latest run at Newcastle is the start of all the pieces coming together.

The son of Menari finished a two length fourth behind Cape Byron after leading but it was the way he went about it that pleased his trainer.

“My policy this preparation has been to send him around and around so he learns how to be a racehorse. He has just been very immature mentally,” Buchanan said.

“His manners were much better last start; he didn’t flop around all over the place at the finish.”

Gardenzio (pink sleeves) pleased trainer Kristen Buchanan with his race manners when fourth behind Cape Byron at Newcastle last start. Picture: Bradley Photos

Prior to that run, Gardenzio cost himself victory by running about in the straight when a close second to Lichester over 1300m at Kembla on January 13 before finishing a two and a half length second to short-priced favourite, Outakandy over 1600m at Wyong two weeks later.

“I think his manners cost him at Kembla that day and Koby was quire frustrated with him,” she said.

“Coming back the 1400m at Newcastle was probably a bit sharp for him.

“At least he was very tractable last start. He didn’t do anything wrong and Koby was happy with him in that respect.

“He said straight after the race to get him back up to a mile and if he does everything right like that, he will be very competitive.”

Gardenzio is favourite for the Class 1 Handicap (1600m) with talented apprentice Anna Roper to ride.

“I don’t know if he handles a wet track yet. I haven’t had him on one before so that’s a question mark.

“The way he moves, I’m not too worried by it but we will find out for sure on Thursday.”

In the same race, Buchanan saddles up recent stable addition Silent Russian.

The gelding was fourth at this track and distance behind Mistress for previous trainers Richard and Will Freedman in mid-December before finishing down the track at Newcastle on December 31.

3yo 💛🖤 TRAPEZE ARTIST💛🖤 colt GROUNDRUSH finishes hard down the outside for @HawkesRacing.
The 3️⃣1️⃣st winner in 2023/24 for Leading Second Season Sire Trapeze Artist. Congratulations connections!🥳 pic.twitter.com/h2IsxUotB6

— Widden (@widdenstud) February 10, 2024

He has had a trial for Buchanan at Wyong on January 31 when a hard held fourth behind True Crime.

“He is a nice horse having his first start for me,” she said.

“I was going to freshen him up and go to a 1400m race but I just don’t get the impression that’s the right thing to do. I think the mile will suit and his form suggests a wet track doesn’t worry him.

“I was just trying to get a feel for him as he arrived at the stables a fit horse and work out what the best move for him would be.

“I was pleased with what he did in that trial.”

Buchanan is hoping a more suitable draw will help promising filly Kervette break through for her first win in the Maiden Plate over 1300m where she has drawn barrier 4.

The three-year-old was very unlucky when a length fifth behind Groundrush (see video above) at Newcastle last start.

After racing behind the leader, she was held up in the straight and unable to build up any momentum before getting clear with about 100m to run.

Prior to that, she resumed with a nose second to Koby Girl at Wyong on January 28.

“She was a hard luck story at Newcastle the other day in what was a solid race,” said Buchanan.

“She is racing really well and has drawn a better gate at Wyong which will give her options and room to move.”

BARGAIN BUY SPILLS IS READY FOR HIS STAYING TEST

Lightly-raced gelding Spills has already proven a bargain for owner-trainer Greg Kilner but bigger pay days could be in store for the four-year-old as he gets his first chance at a staying trip on his home track.

The son of three-time stakes-winner Galah stepped to 1700m for the first time this campaign with a handy fourth behind Grafton and followed up with a gutsy maiden win from Tosen Dreamer over 1710m at the same track on February 6.

That win took Spills’ prizemoney to just shy of $21,000 and can add further to that in the Class 1 and Maiden Plate (2230m) apprentice Mollie Fitzgerald to ride.

Trainer Greg Kilner is looking forward to testing Spills over 2230m at Grafton on Thursday. Picture: Grant Peters - Trackside Photography

“He came across from Western Australia and when I looked at his breeding, and the horses in his family are winning over 2200m and 2400m so I thought it was time to step him up,” said Kilner.

“He had a couple of trials in Perth and then he came across here unraced.

“There were a few owners in him including my uncle and when some of them pulled out, I bought him for $1000 and just own him myself.

“There are a couple of 2200m races coming up so I thought I would have a go at them with him.

“I think the trip will suit him because he races on the speed and just keeps going. He’s a bit one-paced but will keep rolling along.”

Kilner is hoping Russian Inn can finally break through for her first win when she contests the 3YO and Up Maiden Plate (1015m) with Fitzgerald to ride her as well.

The daughter of Russian Revolution almost broke her maiden last time in when a half-length second to Doyle at Grafton in September and has been thereabouts in her three runs this campaign.

In her latest run, she was fourth behind Bravely and Cannon over 1000m here on January 28.

“The first two horses from that race both came out and won at Grafton last Saturday,” said Kilner.

“They ran good time that day as well.

“In her last 12 or so start, only once has she finished worse than fifth.

“She has been pretty consistent but just keeps finding a couple better than her.

“She’s only a little mare so Mollie’s 2kg claim will help her.

“The only thing is, she races pretty keen here at Grafton. She is good everywhere else but she is a bit hard to settle here on her home track.”

Originally published as Wyong preview: Slow maturing Gardenzio is starting to it all together and could prove hard to catch around his home track