Jerome Hunter concerned about short distance for Wonder Boy before Vain Stakes at Caulfield

Trainer Jerome Hunter knows he has a spring carnival contender but is concerned Wonder Boy could find the Vain Stakes trip at Caulfield a touch too short.

Jerome Hunter says the distance will be one of Wonder Boy’s biggest impediments to remaining unbeaten in Saturday’s Group 3 Vain Stakes at Caulfield.

Wonder Boy impressed when running on strongly to win on debut over 1200m at Flemington on June 8 but will drop back to 1100m in the Vain Stakes.

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While TAB had Wonder Boy at $4 in its early Vain Stakes betting, Hunter said the shorter trip was a concern for the promising galloper.

“I think it will be a bit too short for him,” Hunter said.

“He’s such a big powerful beast but what he showed at Flemington, he looked like he could go to 1400(m) when he was just winding up.”

Trainer Jerome Hunter is concerned the 1100m of the Vain Stakes could be too short for promising three-year-old Wonder Boy. Picture: Racing Ross Holburt/Racing Photos

The Mornington-based Hunter sent Wonder Boy back to the paddock for a break after his Flemington success, giving him more time to develop into his big frame.

Wonder Boy’s size compelled Hunter to give the three-year-old three jumpouts to build fitness ahead of his return to racing.

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Wonder Boy acquitted himself well in his latest Mornington trial in which he finished strongly on the heels of star sprinter Giga Kick.

“I think he held his own in that trial among the better horses,” Hunter said.

“He went through his gears very nicely.

“(Jockey Luke) Currie said as soon as he got off him that, ‘he’s spot on and ready to go now’.

“He’s such a big horse that we had to give him three trials.

“He went to Caulfield before that and I think the extra trial has stripped him down nicely.”

Wonder Boy with a great performance on debut to win our first of the day, the RDA Peninsula Jenny Stidston Sprint.

📽 @racingpic.twitter.com/k9aTkMV4CP

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) June 8, 2024

Wonder Boy’s sole race outing did not answer Hunter’s question over which spring program would best suit the hulking son of Cosmic Force.

Hunter said he was yet to decide whether the Caulfield Guineas over 1600m in October or the Coolmore Stud Stakes over 1200m at Flemington three weeks late was the best option for the gelding.

“We’ll see how he goes in the next couple of runs,” Hunter said.

“If he goes well on Saturday and next start over 1200m he goes well again, we’ll have to weigh up whether we keep him a sprinter or do we try and stretch him out to a Guineas.

“This preparation will tell us after a couple of runs.

“Do we keep him fresh and as a sprinter or stretch him out?”

Wonder Boy is a $26 chance in Caulfield Guineas betting while TAB rated him a $51 shot to win the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

Only Starspangledbanner in 2009 has won both the Vain Stakes and Caulfield Guineas.

Originally published as Jerome Hunter concerned about short distance for Wonder Boy before Vain Stakes at Caulfield