A decision to bypass a staying race at Flemington could provide David and Coral Feek with their first success at the highest level.
Gold Wolf (NZ) (Tivaci) heads to the Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on Saturday having bypassed the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington last week.
David Feek said he and his wife were not tempted by the St Leger, preferring to keep the three-year-old at 2500m for the time being.
“We were happy to keep the horse to 2500 metres and the way that race ended up panning out I was really pleased that we didn’t run as it turned into a sit and sprint,” Feek said.
“Despite it being 2800 metres, in my opinion it didn’t look like a true staying contest.”
Feek considers Gold Wolf an out-and-out stayer who ran out a strong 2400m when successful in the Listed Galilee Series Final at Caulfield on April 6.
On that occasion he defeated New Zealand visitor Antrim Coast (NZ) (Roc De Cambes) while two starts prior he chased home Bold Soul (NZ) (Embellish) in the Listed Tasmanian Derby and who has since taken out the Gr.3 Chairman’s Stakes at Morphettville last Saturday.
Both are in Saturday’s contest and are up high in betting markets.
“We respect every horse in the race and it’s going to be very tough,” Feek said.
“But there’s bits of form with Bold Soul and beating Antrim Coast that suggests our horse lines up pretty well.”
Neil Farley, who has ridden Gold Wolf in five of his eight starts, and his two wins, made the trek from outside of Ballarat to partner the gelding in a tick over 1600m trial at Moe on April 26.
Feek said it was what he wanted to see from Gold Wolf, although he believes the gelding has plateaued in his condition since the Caulfield win.
“The horse is very, very fit,” Feek said.
“We’re happy with him but in the back of my mind was that a peak performance winning the Galilee Series Final.
“There are no negatives, but I haven’t seen any obvious improvement. His coat is starting to become a bit wintry, but all the other checklists that we do, we’re ticking those boxes.
“He’s probably plateaued for the preparation and hopefully that is enough to be competitive.”
