One more job for the Wolf before break

Emerging star Wolf Stride is poised to smash through the $500,000 stakemoney barrier with his last race of a fantastic campaign.

As much as co-trainer Anthony Butt wants to get Wolf Stride out for the spell, the chance to race for $100,000 at Group 1 level in the new Riverina Championship at Wagga on April 4 is irresistible.

After Wolf Stride’s slashing Miracle Mile third, Butt waited until it was clear sidelined star Lochinvar Art would miss the Wagga feature before deciding to “push on” with Wolf Stride.

Along the way he snared another feature win when Wolf Stride was too tough and classy for his rivals in the $50,000 Group 2 Melton Plate at Melton last Saturday night.

He looks to have the Wagga feature at his mercy.

Wolf Stride heads to Wagga for his 31st start with already 15 wins, 10 placings and $449,320 in the bank.

“He’s come so far quickly and I think he’ll be better next campaign,” Butt said. “After Wagga he’ll go out for a long break, like the Kiwi style where they spell them right through winter and come back in spring.”

October’s Victoria Cup is likely to be Wolf Stride’s first major target after his break.

IT is great to see a real buzz back about the Bathurst Gold Crown.

And the presence of Victorian raiders like Russell Jack, who has been the key player through the heats, and Clayton Tonkin’s wayward but gifted Lightning Dan has added plenty.

Bathurst historians revealed Jack’s effort to qualify three fillies for next Saturday night’s Group 1 Gold Tiara final was the first time a trainer had done so since another Victorian, Peter Manning, 17 years ago.

Jack won Tiara heats with Just Hope and Captains Queens as well as qualifying Eye Can Fly with a second placing in her heat.

Jack also has Ninteenth Man in the Group 1 Gold Crown final after his upset heat win.

Lightning Dan is the most intriguing horse going towards final night.

He’s somehow unbeaten in two runs despite looking so raw, green and erratic.

If Tonkin and co-trainer Emma Stewart can switch him on fully for the Crown final, there’s no doubt he can win it.

But Mister Rea looks a complete professional and, despite not winning overly impressively in his heat, has the experience and manners to be the testing material.

The Tiara looks a ripper, but local Silk Cloud’s turn of speed is a real X-factor.

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THE future of WA pacing looks hugely exciting.

There is already he likes of Magnificent Storm, Minstrel and Patronus Star coming through the four-year-old ranks and headed to open-class.

But the pacer over west who has everyone talking right now is powerhouse three-year-old Lavra Joe.

When veteran champion driver Chris Lewis, renowned for his conservatism, says things “freak” and “he’s a bit special” you have to take notice.

And Lavra Joe’s latest 20m win in the Group 2 Western Gateway 3YO at Gloucester Park last Friday night certainly fuelled the excitement.

It wasn’t just the margin, but the times he ran after coming from a back row draw.

Lavra Joe’s 1min54.4sec mile rate for the long 2536m trip was just 0.3sec outside the track record and the third fastest time ever run for the trip around Gloucester Park.

The Ray Jones-trained star looks to have the $200,000 Group 1 Sky Racing Derby at his mercy at Gloucester Park on April 30.

Sky Racing – Adam Hamilton