Wolfgang Claims St Leger Victory in Melbourne Cup Plans

Wolfgang is mighty and impressed in performance at The Frac Club New Zealand St Leger at Trentham last Saturday to earn an important victory as a prelude to possible participation in the Melbourne Cup.

Wolfgang’s historic win adds another chapter to horse racing history, joining an elite group of horses with victories in both the Wellington Cup and St Leger. This feat cemented his reputation as a top-class competitor, achieved within the ambit of a calendar year twice prior. Wolfgang has been a remarkable journey under trainers Peter and Shaun McKay: incredibly consistent with over 490,000 in prize money from 13 races.

As the countdown begins for the Melbourne Cup, racing buffs await the spectacular performances of several contenders. The Melbourne Cup remains one of the most cherished events in horse racing and attracts the crème de la-crème of horses and trainers from all over the globe. Past winners have continued to leave their mark, ever then making the Melbourne Cup a paramount target among most stables. Such is the history and glamour attached to this race that it effectively makes the Melbourne Cup a must-see event, where contestants will be trying to put their names down in racing history.

Wolfgang’s success could set the stage for future ambitions, possibly even a run at the Melbourne Cup in the years ahead.

Wolfgang on the other hand started his campaign with two final victories at Hastings and Matamata during September and October. His two performances resulted in a trip to Australia, where he finished sixth in the Gr.2 Herbert Power Stakes and then fourth in the Gr.3 Geelong Cup.

On coming back to New Zealand, his performance remained as superb. He was second in the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes and later on finished 10th in the Gr.3 Counties Cup. Still, it was his win in the Wellington Cup that ensured his place among the top stayers of the season.

Then he ran second in the Listed Kaimai Stakes and came up with an eighth place in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes. His comeback to Trentham, a venue where he has invariably produced his greatest performances, was marked by the St Leger.

Despite facing a competitive field, Wolfgang showed his ability to handle pressure in the St Leger. Among his rivals were Gr.2 Auckland Cup winner Trav, Gr.3 New Zealand Cup winner Mehzebeen, and 350,000 Remutaka Classic winner Titicaca.

Jockey Joe Doyle kept Wolfgang near the back of the pack for most of the race while Final Return set the pace. As the field approached the home stretch, Final Return surged ahead, building a strong lead with Mehzebeen in second. Wolfgang still had considerable ground to make up.

With just 50 meters left, it looked like Final Return had secured the win. However, Wolfgang responded with a late burst of speed, closing in on Final Return and Mehzebeen. In a dramatic finish, he crossed the line just a short head ahead of Final Return, with Mehzebeen in third.

Trainer Peter McKay, who co-owns Wolfgang with his wife Kim and breeder Simms Davison, was pleased with the performance, admitting he thought second place was the best they could achieve.

“I’m surprised he won the race today because it looked like we were second from where I was sitting,” McKay said. “That was a strong run against a quality field, with all those Cup winners. I’m very happy with that. He performs well at Trentham—this track suits him.”

McKay also commented on Wolfgang’s difficulty with right-handed tracks, particularly in the Bonecrusher Stakes.

“He was up against very good horses in the Bonecrusher last start, but he just doesn’t seem to have the same finishing speed going right-handed. I don’t know why. Shaun had warned me that it doesn’t suit him to race that way. I tried to go against that, but he was right, and I was wrong.”

With Wolfgang’s season now complete, he will take a well-earned break before preparations begin for a major spring campaign.

“We’ll hopefully get a couple of runs in New Zealand under his belt before heading back over,” McKay said. “We’d love to get him into one of those races, the Caulfield Cup or the Melbourne Cup. I don’t usually like to run a horse in a race just because they qualify, but the Melbourne Cup—if we can get in, we’re going.”

Wolfgang’s St Leger victory further strengthens his reputation as a capable stayer. With continued development, he could be a strong contender in Australia’s top races. While the Melbourne Cup remains a challenging goal, his connections are eager to test him at that level if the opportunity arises.

For now, Wolfgang’s team will take time to assess his next steps. His performances this season have been a clear indication of his potential, and with the right preparation, he could be a key name in the spring racing scene.