In just his first racing preparation, Nick Ryan says it’s a credit to his colt Wolfy (NZ) (Tivaci) that the three-year-old is even up to contesting the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on Saturday.
Wolfy debuted at Caulfield in July, running second, and has continued to please Ryan as his debut campaign progresses.
“Everything he’s done this prep has continuously improved, his mannerisms are getting better,” Ryan said.
“He’s a colt, he’s a really good doer, he’s furnished while he’s been in prep, he’s done so well.
“I think it’s an effort from the team itself just to get him here in his first prep. I know how good a colt he is, I can’t wait to see him in the autumn but he’s put his hand up and we’ll roll the dice.
“I was very mindful that he’s a very good colt and it’s his first prep, but we took him to the beach on the Monday morning after he raced on the Sunday at Flemington and he was bucking in the water, he licked his bin – it would be a sin to not run here Saturday.”
Wolfy returned to Caulfield on Tuesday morning for a gallop under the guidance of regular hoop Blake Shinn ahead of his first test at Group 1 level in the stallion-making contest.
“He gave us a glowing report, Blake’s done a lot of work on the horse, he put him through the gates his first time before he’d even had a jumpout, he knows the horse very well,” Ryan said.
“Really happy, he galloped with Regardsmaree, an old stable warrior, Blake Shinn rode him and was very happy.”
After back-to-back victories at 1400m, Ryan can’t wait to unleash Wolfy at the mile.
“He’s been running good sectionals and good times, I think if anything he’s crying out for the mile,” he said.
“I think he’s going to relish getting up to the mile … I’m excited to see him on Saturday as I know he’s trained on.”
