Australian spring campaign calling Wolverine

[Wandering Eyes]

Roydon Bergerson has resisted the urge to head to Australia this autumn with exciting juvenile Wolverine (NZ) (Tivaci).

The Awapuni trainer was contemplating a tilt at the Gr.1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick this weekend with the daughter of Tivaci, but elected to send her to the spelling paddock instead.

“She has gone for a spell at Chris Rutten’s,” Bergerson said.

“We thought about the Champagne Stakes on Saturday but it was just a bit too close. Maybe she will head to Australia in the spring.”

Wolverine had an impressive season in New Zealand, winning her first three starts, including the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) and Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m), before finishing runner-up in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) and Gr.1 Manawatu Produce Sires’ Stakes (1400m).

“She had a great season, but it was a pity the way it ended,” Bergerson said. “I think if she hadn’t got checked at the 800m (in the Sires’ Produce) she would have been right on Maven Belle’s back turning for home instead of five lengths behind her.

“I am still adamant she would have got past her.”

While Bergerson has bypassed Australia this season, he is already making plans to head to Melbourne with his filly in the spring.

“Hopefully she will go to Melbourne. I think she is better left-handed than right-handed. I think she is two or three lengths better,” he said.

“We are working through her plans at the moment, I have got to speak with Luke (Murrell, Australian Bloodstock), but it is more than likely she will start her three-year-old season over there.

“You are only against your own age group. I know they have got some good horses over there but you have got to pay your money and take your chances.”

Australian Bloodstock purchased a 50 percent holding in Wolverine after the daughter of Tivaci had won on debut at Otaki in the spring with the original owners, which includes Bergerson and respected horseman Chris Rutten, still involved.

Bergerson and Rutten purchased her out of breeder Waikato Stud’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale at Karaka for $50,000.

View the full article