Waverley trained nine-year-old It’s A Wonder will enjoy some R&R after a successful season in which he went from winning a maiden hurdle in May to landing the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) at Riccarton last weekend in dominant fashion.
The Harvey Wilson-trained gelding won four of seven starts over jumps including the traditional Grand National lead-up, the Koral Steeplechase (4250m) but he will not carry on to the Irvines Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m) at Ellerslie on September 7.
“He has had a great season and the National was the pinnacle,” Wilson said.
“He is a tired horse but there is nothing wrong with him. We just feel it will be in his best interests to go to the paddock and have a break now.”
Wilson narrowly missed a notable double after Bad Boy Brown was beaten a nose in the Grand National Hurdles (4200m) and the Waverley horseman confirmed the son of St Reims is likely to contest the Boutique Body Corporates Great Northern Hurdle (4190m) at Ellerslie.
