More Wonder has been courting offshore attention and his popularity will have been further boosted by his performance at Rotorua.
The youngster posted a deserved victory in Monday’s Have Your Function at Arawa Park 2YO (1215m) after finishing in the money in all four of his prior appearances.
“I think he might be off to Hong Kong, there’s a few people interested in him,” said part-owner Graeme Rogerson, who trains the Mossman colt with wife Debbie and grand-daughter Bailey.
He had finished runner-up at Matamata last month and he had no trouble going one better in the hands of Chris Johnson, who also won the opening event aboard Donna Anne Billy.
The champion jockey settled More Wonder toward the back of the small field before a strong closing 100m saw them home comfortably.
“He’s just got better and better and he’s got a beautiful nature, he’ll suit Hong Kong,” Rogerson said.
“He’s not a natural two-year-old and I think he’s got the makings of a pretty good horse.”
More Wonder had a length and a-quarter to spare at the post on the favourite Nirvana In Fire, who made the running, in his first appearance since tailing the field home in the Karaka Million (1200m).
“He got a bit keen in the Karaka Million and over-raced,” said Andrew Scott, who trains in partnership with Lance O’Sullivan.
“The idea today was to be positive out of the gates. He’ll learn a bit more from this.”
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-prepared debutant Madison County finished on to cut his stablemate Arnage, who was also making her first appearance, out of third money. – NZ Racing Desk.
Photo by Trish Dunell
