Bridgman’s plan comes together

A long-range plan was executed to perfection at Riccarton on Saturday with the well-related Wolfwhistle making an impact at black type level.

The son of O’Reilly and the dual Group One winner Legs has had his share of issues to contend with and trainer Jason Bridgman took immense satisfaction from the entire’s success in the Listed Christchurch Casino Classic.

“It’s just terrific for the horse, we’ve always had a good opinion of him,” he said. “It was a shame that he had to have a wind operation as a three-year-old so it’s great to see him at this level.

“He was nicely placed at the weights and we had a plan in mind at the start of the spring to set him for this race – it’s great when it comes off because it doesn’t happen very often.”

Wolfwhistle had displayed his middle distance potential, and Bridgman’s conditioning skills, when he won second-up over 2000 metres on Spring Classic day at Hastings earlier this month.

“He’s showed how much class he’s got and it will be interesting to see what the handicapper does with him – that will dictate where we go,” Bridgman said.

“I’m mindful about how far we stretch him distance-wise, given that he’s had a wind operation, and he may have a run on one of the days of the cup carnival at Riccarton.

“I’d like to think he will develop as a cups horse.”

Wolfwhistle raced midfield on the fence and rider Matt Cameron was able to weave between runners before driving the four-year-old home along the fence.

Veteran stayer Esprit D’Or fought on gallantly for second after making the running and the topweight Dickens, who lost ground when checked off heels down the back, came on well for third.