‘More seasoned’ Wolfgang to put straight failure behind him in Talindert Stakes at Flemington

He failed in his first crack down the Flemington straight, but the trainers of crack colt Wolfgang believe it will be a different story in the Talindert Stakes on Saturday.

Race experience won’t be an issue for two-year-old colt Wolfgang in Saturday’s Listed Talindert Stakes at Flemington.

Wolfgang has already raced in three states in his four outings, giving the Exceed And Excel colt a vast experience edge on his rivals in the $175,000 sprint.

However, the Flemington straight course could be the biggest problem for the youngster on Saturday.

Wolfgang was well held on debut down at Flemington on debut with champion jockey James McDonald giving trainers Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans some sage advice.

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“His first start was up the straight and we weren’t sure he handled it,” Yeomans said.

“James McDonald rode him, got off and said, ‘he needs a bend’.”

Wolfgang will have another attempt at the Flemington straight on Saturday. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

The sprinter subsequently proved McDonald right with wins around turns at Morphettville and Doomben, showing improvement as he gained race experience.

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Those wins and Wolfgang’s travelling experience convinced the trainers to scratch him from a race at Caulfield last Saturday.

“Once he drew wide last Saturday, we thought, ‘let’s try him again’ as he’s much more experienced and seasoned now’,” Yeomans said.

“He’s a very well-travelled and well-seasoned two-year-old now.

“It’s good to tick that box as to whether he handles the straight.”

A little harder than expected, but WOLFGANG gets it done through the hands of @blake_shinn for the @KennewellRacing stable.

Will we see this 2YO in two weeks time at the @mmsnippets? pic.twitter.com/NsmePKUWL8

— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) December 30, 2023

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Wolfgang was beaten more than 26 lengths when last in the $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast last month.

Yeomans said muscle soreness was the only obvious reason for the performance but Wolfgang was back to top condition for the Talindert Stakes, which the Cranbourne trainer said was a possible Blue Diamond Stakes audition.

“If he wins the Talindert, we would think about backing him up in the (Blue) Diamond but if he runs well and hits the line strongly, we’ll kick on to the Sires’ (Produce Stakes), which is back at Flemington,” Yeomans said.

Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jye McNeil will ride Wolfgang in the Talindert Stakes.

Wolfgang has remained solid at $6 in TAB’s early market.

Originally published as ‘More seasoned’ Wolfgang to put straight failure behind him in Talindert Stakes at Flemington