Peter and Shaun McKay are dreaming of a Melbourne Cup with their quality stayer Wolfgang, who will start his journey towards the iconic race at Wanganui on Saturday.
The son of Peter McKay’s former Group 1 winner Puccini, Wolfgang tested his talent in Australia last spring when sixth in the Herbert Power Stakes and fourth in the Geelong Cup.
He came of age with the trip and entered career-best form on his return to New Zealand, finishing runner-up in the Group 3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m), Group 3 Manawatu Cup (2300m) and Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m), and won the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m) and New Zealand St Leger (2500m).
His victory in the Wellington Cup gave his trainers the confidence to target further two-mile features, and they have set their sights on the most coveted prize of them all, the Melbourne Cup.
“As long as he goes alright (he will head straight to Australia after this run). If he is disappointing, we will just have to try and mark time and find somewhere to run him again,” Peter McKay said.
All going to plan, Wolfgang will target three Melbourne Cup automatic entry races – the Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m), Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m), and Geelong Cup.
