Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde to test Kodiak Bear in city class at Caulfield

Patience is everything when training stayers and Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde has certainly taken his time with Caulfield hopeful Kodiak Bear.

Bart Cummings is often quoted as saying, “patience is the cheapest thing in racing and least used” but it cannot be said Symon Wilde has rushed Caulfield contender Kodiak Bear.

Saturday’s $175,000 VOBIS Gold Stayers (2400m) will only be Kodiak Bear’s fifth start despite the gelding being a week away from turning five.

Wilde said only immaturity has kept Kodiak Bear to the limited number of starts, which have already produced a win and two minor placings on Western District tracks.

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“He’s just a big, raw horse and we just gave him plenty of time,” Wilde said.

“He’s lovely and sound, he’s just taken a lot of time.”

While Kodiak Bear is the least experienced of the 11 VOBIS Gold Stayers runners, Wilde said the stable hoped the son of Tosen Stardom would be a regular visitor to Melbourne on a Saturday in coming seasons.

“We think he’ll end up a jumper or a Jericho Cup horse but the dream right now is for him to make a Saturday stayer,” Wilde said.

“Maybe he’ll end up a bit better than that.”

Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde has taken a patient approach with promising stayer Kodiak Bear. Pictures: Racing Photos via Getty Images

TAB has kept Kodiak Bear safe at $9.50 in early betting on the VOBIS Gold Stayers despite the developing galloper finishing fourth first-up in a highweight Benchmark 64 contest at Warrnambool on July 7.

Wilde said the race was short of Kodiak Bear’s best distance but the outing “served its purpose”.

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“The highweight race at Warrnambool first-up was just to get him rolling and get a run into him,” Wilde said.

“The run really cleaned him up and got him ready for this.

“He’s a promising horse that did really well in his first preparation but I reckon he’s come back even better.

“He’s an out-and-out stayer but it’s worth a crack at a race like that.

“He wouldn’t be the roughest.”

In-form jockey Michael Dee will head to Sandown full of confidence after riding four winners at Flemington last Saturday. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Kodiak Bear has drawn perfectly in barrier four but Wilde said he was likely to instruct jockey Michael Dee to give his mount time to balance early before ensuring he had plenty of galloping room.

However, Wilde said he would be happier if Kodiak Bear had a little more experience before going up against the likes of higher-rated stayers Teewaters and Ferago.

“It’s an open track with better ground but we’d have loved one more run for him to improve his race craft,” Wilde said.

“His race craft isn’t quite there yet so we just need to get some runs into him.

“We’ll just keep him out of trouble and bank on his big tank to finish the race off.”

Originally published as Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde to test Kodiak Bear in city class at Caulfield