The unkindest operation for a male racehorse may just be the making or Wolfgang.
After showing promise as a colt during his two-year-old year with wins at Morphettville and Doomben, Wolfgang returns for his three-year-old season as a gelding.
Wolfgang will have the first start of his campaign at Moonee Valley on Friday night in the MSC Signs VOBIS Silver Handicap (1200m).
Trainers Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans had resisted the temptation to geld Wolfgang after his wins in December, but after running last in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast and then beating only one home in a Stakes race at Flemington, the decision was made to geld the son of Exceed And Excel.
Kennewell said the operation would hopefully switch Wolfgang on as a racehorse.
“He’s a nice horse and he’s shown above average ability, but we just haven’t seen the best of him because of his antics with those two things between his legs,” Kennewell said.
“So, with them gone I think you should see a much more finished product.
“Everyone that rides him reports that he just gives you a feel of a really good horse so it’s up to the horse now really.
“He’s just got to go to the races and do it, and then he can map out his own destiny.”
Kennewell said a race had been picked out for Wolfgang in Adelaide for the gelding’s return run, but some heat in a foot on the night he was to travel resulted in him staying at Cranbourne.
After getting over that problem, Wolfgang had a trial over 800m at Cranbourne, scoring on September 16 from Harry Got Styles who was successful at Bendigo on Wednesday.
As part of his preparation for Friday night’s return, Kennewell took Wolfgang to The Valley on Monday morning to have his first look at the track with race jockey Craig Williams aboard.
“He had a bit of a look around The Valley for his first time and back as a gelding we’re pretty excited,” Kennewell said.
“He’s always been a nice horse, and his mind is completely on the job now, which is good.”