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Continued improvement from Waldorf could see the good-looking colt on the other side of the Tasman later this year.
He closed out his juvenile season with victory at Awapuni on Monday in the Listed Courtesy Ford Ryder Stakes with Melbourne a dream goal for the youngster.
“He’ll get a mile later on and he will be nominated for the Caulfield Guineas, although it’s early days yet,” trainer Andrew Campbell said.“He’ll probably go to the Wanganui Guineas and we’ll make a call from there.”
Waldorf is now the first black type winner for his Berkley Stud-based sire Highly Recommended, a Group Two-winning son of Fastnet Rock whose three first-crop winners also includes the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes placegetter Joyfilly.Campbell admitted he was worried about the Heavy 11 going at Awapuni, but Waldorf’s class shone through as he came off a handy sit to master the pacemaker Nuclear Fusion and draw clear over the closing 50 metres.
“He’s a very good horse and he wasn’t handling the track,” Campbell said. “He’s tough though and got all the ability. He was very well and his work had been great.”Waldorf has now won twice from seven starts with two previous third placings, both at Te Rapa, following a break having him at the top of his game for the Ryder.
He was partnered by Johnathan Parkes, who had also ridden stablemate Longchamp to win the recent Listed Opunake Cup, echoed Campbell’s comments.“He showed a ton of heart,” Parkes said. “He wasn’t very happy, but he still proved too good for them. He’s going to make a really nice three-year-old.”