Patient ride by jockey Rachel King steers the Annabel Neasham-trained Wisdom of Water to victory in the 3&4YO Stakes at Wyong on Wednesday.
In what has been a frustrating campaign thus far for trainer Annabel Neasham and four-year-old Wisdom Of Water, jockey Rachel King gave her mount a patient ride before pinching late gaps to pilot the son of Headwater to a debut stable victory.
Having hit the line strongly for third two-back in The Warra, the four-year-old was a firm second elect ($3.30) in the market for the 1200m Magic Millions feature.
Jumping on terms from the low draw (2), King slid through in the early stages to position her mount in the perfect spot on settling; one back, on the fence.
Travelling in an identical spot throughout, the pair encountered some slight misfortune rounding the home bend, when their clear passage briefly shut.
Staying cool, calm, and collected, King bided her time and waited for gaps to appear before promptly urging her mount through an opening toward the inside.
When asked for his full effort from King, Wisdom of Water let down forcefully in his dash to the line, quickly finding the front and holding on to score by a long neck (0.33L).
Neasham was thrilled with the efforts of both the four-year-old and King, and while unsure on what exactly the next step is for the horse, the trainer is sure a trip north is inevitable.
“It’s been a long time between drinks for him, but it just looked like the perfect race and perfect conditions for him today,” Neasham said.
“It was a lovely ride. She was parked in behind them and I thought she was going to go the wrong way at once stage, but it opened for her.
“He’s been looking great, but for whatever reason he didn’t enjoy racing down in Melbourne and then he came back, and I thought he was super in behind Eleven Eleven.
“He’s been knocking on the door to get back in thew winner’s enclosure, he’s a very talented colt.
“I’m sure we will try and take him up to the Gold Coast, he’s obviously won races up there before and he seems to race well there. Being a Magic Millions horse there will be an option for him up there no doubt.”
Equally as pleased with her mount’s performance, King was full of praise for the horse and Neasham’s team.
“All credit to the team, they’ve got him in fantastic form, and he just needed that little bit of luck today which came his way and he proved he was the class horse on the day,” King said.
“It’s ben good getting to know him the last couple of starts and getting to know his little tricks.
“He probably has only got a short burst, but he also has to get the first half right.
“He’s done that a bit upside down a few times and gone a bit too hard but he seems to be relaxing really well and doing the first half right, which gives us thar chance to finish off.
“She (Neasham) thought that maybe having a girl on he might appreciate it a bit more and be kind to him rather than bully him. It’s definitely working and he’s racing really nicely for me.”
Not done for the day, Neasham two races later brought up a feature-double with debutant Soaring Ambition claiming the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
Under the riding of Tommy Berry, the two-year-old filly stormed home from last to take out the 1100m feature.