Sizzling return from Start Wondering

Evan and J.J Rayner will let the dust settle on Start Wondering’s impressive return to racing at Te Rapa before they map out his future.

The Wanganui trainers were bullish about the six-year-old’s chances in Saturday’s Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint and their confidence wasn’t misplaced.

“It was a very good effort and we knew we had him as ready as we could,” Evan Rayner said.

“I’ll get home and have a couple of beers while we decide what we do.”

Start Wondering settled in the trail, and once clear in the straight, the gelding powered clear under rider Johnathan Parkes to win by two and three quarter lengths.

“All we’ve been waiting for is a good track for him,” Rayner said. “That was a strong field and he’s pulled up well, which is the main thing.”

Start Wondering won four of his first eight starts for Wanganui trainer Paul Belsham, and after his transfer to Chris Waller’s stable in Sydney he added three further victories at Rosehill before he suffered a bleeding attack.

Belsham had announced his retirement from training in the interim so the Steve Gudsell-owned son of Eighth Wonder joined the Rayner team.

Reigning Gr.1 Railway Stakes champion Ryan Mark turned in a commendable effort under topweight of 60kg to finish runner-up ahead of Triaction and Natuzzi.