Wild Planet Stakes His Claim for the Epsom

Mark Smith - Saturday September 12

Wild Planet has not had the best of luck in two starts since winning the Listed VRC March Stakes at Flemington in March but everything fell into place for the son of Animal Kingdom (USA) in Saturday’s Group II  Iron Jack Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill.

Some luck at last for Wild Planet (Steve Hart)

While James McDonald was forced to cover plenty of extra ground on the favourite Funstar, Tommy berry was able to extricate Wild Planet from a pocket to have last shot at the daughter of Adelaide(IRE) to win by a long-neck with Godolphin’s consistent Lonhro gelding Ranier a length back in third.

It was a career highlight for Hawkes Racing’s 5yo gelding who advances his record to 5 wins, 4 seconds and 2 thirds from 17 starts with earnings of $615,900.

He has earned a chance in the Group 1 Epsom handicap according to co-trainer Michael Hawkes.

"He's in the Epsom and that's the way we're heading with him at this stage," Hawkes said.

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"There was a little bit of deja vu there when he got locked up coming around the corner but you've got to give this horse credit, he really fights hard.

Wild Planet was a $280,000 Easter Yearling

Purchased by Hawkes Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock for $280,000 out of the Arrowfield draft at the 2017 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Wild Planet is a half-brother to Group 1 MRC Caulfield Guineas winner Super Seth (Dundeel) out of the Redoute's Choice mare Salutations who is a daughter of Group II winner Toast Of The Coast (Rory's Jester).

Salutations has a yearling brother to Super Seth and was bred back to Dundeel again last spring.

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Race Result - Theo Marks Stakes Gr2 1300m

Rosehill Track: Good(4) Time: 1:15.73
1
Wild Planet
- 5g Animal Kingdom (USA) x Salutations (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Tommy Berry 54
2
0.4
Funstar
- 4m Adelaide (IRE) x Starspangled (IRE) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55
3
1.4
Ranier
- 5g Lonhro (AUS) x Kanzan (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: J R Collett 56
4
1.6
Special Reward
- 5g Demerit (AUS) x Special Kiseki (AUS) (Special Bond (AUS))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: N Rawiller 57
5
2.2
Duca Valentinois
- 9g Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) x Love Valentine (IRE) (Fruits Of Love (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Rachel King 53.5
6
2.5
Signore Fox
- 5h Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Sharp Susan (USA) (Touch Gold (USA))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: J Penza 53
7
2.7
Fender
- 4g Toronado (IRE) x Ceccanti (AUS) (Arena (AUS))
Tnr: B F Cavanough Rdr: Jean Van Overmeire 54
8
3.1
Tyzone
- 7g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Rezonet (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: A J & T Edmonds Rdr: J Byrne 58.5
9
4.0
Riodini
- 4g Proisir (AUS) x Giardini (NZ) (Perfectly Ready (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 53
10
5.1
Niccanova
- 7g Nicconi (AUS) x Dananova (AUS) (Snippetson (AUS))
Tnr: Craig Carmody Rdr: Regan Bayliss 57.5
11
10.8
Crack On Crack On
- 6g Havana Gold (IRE) x Almunia (IRE) (Mujadil (USA))
Tnr: Gary & John Moore Rdr: G Boss 54
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