Wolf Cry's Wolflands Too Slick in 55 Second Challenge

Mark Smith - Friday September 23

The Wolf Cry gelding Wolflands advanced his record to four wins from seven starts with a fighting win in the Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge (955m) on Moir Stakes night at Moonee valley.

Ridden by apprentice Carleen Hefel for Cranbourne-based trainer Julien Welsh, Wolflands edged out the Group III winner Sartorial Splendor Brazen Beau) by a short-half-head with Great Diviner (Shamus Award) one and a quarter length back in third.

Wolflands finishes best (image Pat Scala/Racing photos)

A hombred for Nik Crumpton and Jo Stevens, Wolflands is the lone winner from two foals from the O’Reilly mare Crosslands, a $300 purchase at the 2014 Inglis March Thoroughbred Sale.

From the family of slick Hong Kong sprinter Able Prince, Wolflands has returned $155,550 from his seven wins and a third from seven starts.

Advertisement

He’s a really exciting horse. I’ve really got some high hopes for him,” Welsh said.

“I came into this race tonight thinking that I’ve got to use the weight. He only had 53 (kg) and drew barrier 13 when I saw that I nearly jumped off a bridge when the acceptances came out.

“I said to Carleen that you’ve just got to make them work. He’s hard fit, this horse, for quite a few months. He’s been to Adelaide, he’s come back, and tonight was a real test for him.

“I just wanted to see where he sat in the scheme of things. He’s only lightly raced at his seventh start and won four now. I couldn’t be happier, and Carleen rode him a treat.

“When he gets a bit of a sniff and he’s up there, he can fight it out. He really digs in deep and tonight really showed that.

Wolflands (Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

“I was going to put him out - he’s been up a long time - but I suppose when you win a race like this there’s alway something going on in your mind. We’ll just see how he pulls up and take it from there, but I haven’t got any big plans for him but tonight was sort of his grand final.”

Wolf Cry (Street Cry) stands at Larneuk Stud for a fee of $3,300. 

Advertisment

Race Result - Ladbrokes 55 Second Chall-Bm84 955m

Moonee Valley Track: Soft(6) Time: 0:57.54
1
Wolflands
- 4g Wolf Cry (AUS) x Crosslands (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: J R Welsh Rdr: Carleen Hefel 53
2
0.1
Sartorial Splendor
- 6g Brazen Beau (AUS) x Personal Ensign (AUS) (Rubiton (AUS))
Tnr: J D Sadler Rdr: L Nolen 63
3
1.4
Great Diviner
- 5g Shamus Award (AUS) x Melcordy Smile (AUS) (Domesday (AUS))
Tnr: Will Clarken Rdr: K Mc Evoy 55
4
1.5
Ashford Street
- 5g Moshe (AUS) x Magic By Gosh (AUS) (Magic Albert (AUS))
Tnr: K M Elford Rdr: Tatum Bull 61
5
1.6
Rose Quartz
- 5m Written Tycoon (AUS) x Obsidian Dragon (AUS) (Hidden Dragon (AUS))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: M J Dee 57
6
1.7
Sham I Am
- 7g Shamexpress (NZ) x Les Miserables (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: Ray Matthews Rdr: Lachlan King 55.5
7
2.0
Asfoora
- 4m Flying Artie (AUS) x Golden Child (AUS) (I Am Invincible (AUS))
Tnr: Henry Dwyer Rdr: M Aitken 56.5
8
2.7
Galenus
- 6g Magnus (AUS) x Morell (AUS) (West Quest (CAN))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: M Zahra 58
9
3.4
Young Liam
- 6g Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Imprimis (AUS) (Magnus (AUS))
Tnr: M & L Cerchi Rdr: Jordan Childs 56.5
10
3.5
Mr Moppett
- 5g Sizzling (AUS) x Sweet Emily (AUS) (Bon Hoffa (AUS))
Tnr: P A Sweeney Rdr: Josh Richards 55
11
4.0
Yulong Command
- 5g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Prettyhappyaboutit (AUS) (Magnus (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: Jacob Opperman 61
12
6.2
The Front Bar
- 4m Sessions (AUS) x Visited (AUS) (Viscount (AUS))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: D Oliver 58
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Friday June 27
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Trial action was at Randwick on Friday and there were six heats for juveniles that included some interesting unraced youngsters highlighted by the full brother to a promising young sire, a well bred son of Farnan and an Extreme Choice filly.
Red Right Out Wins MM Queensland Qualifier
The 2026 Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping will feature the third annual Queensland Off-The-Track Cup (QOTT) final on Sunday, 11 January 2026 at Doug Jennings Park on the Gold Coast. 
No Fluke – How Good is Autumn Boy?
When Autumn Boy made a winning debut at 50-1 at Canterbury last month beating his high profile stablemate Central Coast, some may have wondered if there was an element of fluke about the win… there wasn’t.
Another Super Promising Winner for Ole Kirk
Ole Kirk is setting the pace among first season sires and added a new winner to his tally at Caulfield on Saturday with Sonofkirk producing a dazzling finish to score an eye-catching victory.
Vinery Stud Announce Adam White as Interim Manager
From the 1st of July, Vinery Stud is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam White as Interim General Manager, following the resignation of Peter Orton. A dedicated and long-standing member of the Vinery team, Adam brings a wealth of experience and an in-depth understanding of both the business and the industry to this pivotal role.
National Online Breeding Stock Sale online now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.
First Winner for Australian Derby Winner Levendi
Blueblood Pierro colt Levendi won the Group I ATC Australian Derby for the Gelagotis stable back in 2018 and is now on the board as a sire having produced his first winner on Friday.
Spirit of Boom Colt wins 2YO Championship Final
Tony Pike-trained juveniles Boombox and Ashoka ran their second quinella of the month in the ITM/GIB 2YO Championship Final (1200m) at Ruakaka on Saturday, with Boombox getting the better of his stablemate on both occasions.
Proisir filly Wins 3YO Winter Championship
Matamata trainers Ken and Bev Kelso sent Levakia on a big road trip on Saturday in search of reasonable track conditions, and the plan paid off with victory in the $60,000 ITM/GIB 3YO Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Ruakaka.