Helius impresses on debut

Trainer Cheree Wiggs has spent most of her training life buying and training hand me down horses. So she was understandably delighted when Helius (Downbytheseaside) whom she bred and trains, won at Addington last night.

“He’s the first horse I’ve had as a young horse. Normally I buy them off Gavelhouse – the J Bee and Minstrel Boy type horses. This is the first one I’ve done from a young horse. It’s a huge step for me as a trainer,” Wigg said.

In the hands of Blair Orange, Helius was taken straight to the lead in last night’s two year old feature and he held on to win by half a length from Kotare Rimu.

HELIUS REPLAY

“He (Orange) was really impressed with him and said after a break he’d come back even better. He said he’s still got a bit to learn.”

Helius is out of the Christian Cullen mare Crackared which was purchased at a mixed bloodstock sale at Karaka.

“I was there with Bruce Negus. He bought fourteen that day, thirteen weanlings and her. He bought her for $1,000 and looked at me and said ‘that’s your new amateur horse.”

Wigg put Crackared into work and won five races with her that season.

“To win five in a season showed that she had ability. She was tough, but got too high in the ratings so I decided to put her in foal.”

The first foal out of Crackared was Audacious (Always B Miki) which qualified at Ashburton at the end of last month.

“She’s only been off the property twice and hasn’t been beaten. She’s shown a lot of ability but has just taken time.”

Helius is the mare’s second foal and first colt.

“He’s been one of those horses that’s been no problem. Everything we’ve asked of him he’s just done. He’s got his Mums toughness and a lot of speed.”

Helius had three trials prior to last night’s debut.

“In the first two we just went out for education. We copped Showmethetanlines (first trial) and he was definitely not ready for that, but he ran a 1-59 mile rate first time off the place. We thought we’d keep going with him and get him ready for the Sapling Stakes but unfortunately he got a cold.”

Helius has been handled in all his trials by Neil Munro who broke him in and educated him.

“Neils done all the work with him. He’s an amazing horseman and has done a fantastic job.”

Wigg has held a trainer’s licence since 2016 and in that year she had her first winner, Minstrel Boy, at Alexandra Park. Helius, which is named after the Greek God of the Sun, is her 29^th winner.

She says there’s been some interest in the colt, but no deals have been settled on.

“I ended up not agreeing to anything before we got through this race and (we’ll) see what else is out there.”

Wigg commenced her training career at Kumeu and then moved to Pukekohe. She now trains at her partner Alan Edge’s property at Weedons.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink