Top sprinter set to push distance boundary

Start Wondering will be seen in a new role at his next appearance and there’s confidence it can be a starring one.

New Zealand’s reigning champion sprinter will step up in distance to tackle the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on Saturday week.

“We were going to put him out and try him over ground next season, but he’s had five runs this time in so we’ve decided now is the time to do it,” said Evan Rayner, who trains the seven-year-old with his daughter JJ.

“I don’t think 2000m will worry him, but any further would.”

Start Wondering successfully defended his Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) title two starts back at Te Rapa to go with his victory in last year’s Gr.1 Railway (1200m).

At his most recent appearance, the son of Eighth Wonder finished a gallant fifth from the outside gate in the Gr.1 Haunui Farm WFA Classic (1600m).

“I said to Johnathan (Parkes) ride him where you find yourself and they ended up wide,” Rayner said.

“If you dig him up out of the gates he can over-race and if they had gone forward the result wouldn’t have been different.

“Under the circumstances, it was a good run and he’s come through it very well.”

Parkes will head north next week to continue his association with the gelding.

Start Wondering has won three times over a mile, and has been Group One placed at that trip, and he has also won over 1500m at Rosehill during his Sydney days with champion trainer Chris Waller.