Wolverine Wows in Wakefield

A spectacular performance by two-year-old filly Wolverine (NZ) (Tivaci) in Saturday’s $110,000 Group Two Hiddenbed Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Te Rapa has kept her flawless record intact and established her as an early standout of her generation. 

Bought for $50,000 from the Book 1 draft of breeders Waikato Stud at Karaka 2021 by Roydon Bergerson and Chris Rutten, Wolverine has now had two starts for two super-impressive wins and $69,970 in stakes.

Wolverine made waves with a debut victory in a four-horse field at Otaki early last month, prompting prominent Australian syndicators Australian Bloodstock to step in and secure a 50% share.

Saturday’s Wakefield Challenge Stakes was a much tougher test, but Wolverine again passed with flying colours. Unleashed out of midfield by jockey Danielle Johnson, she swept to the lead and powered to victory by a length and a quarter over fellow Karaka graduates Taviarma (NZ) (Tavistock) and Andalus (NZ) (Almanzor), who were both on debut.

“She certainly has some ability there,” Johnson said. “On the feel she gave me today, she is not a natural two-year-old, so she is just going to keep on progressing from here and getting better and better. She is now a stakes winner at two, so what more can you ask for?”

Awapuni trainer Bergerson was delighted with Saturday’s performance and is now plotting a path towards the $1m DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on January 22.

“She’s a good filly,” Bergerson said. “It’s great to win for a good syndicate, and it’s really good to have Australian Bloodstock on board now too.

“She will go home to the paddock for a few days now, and then we will bring her back for the Eclipse Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, and then she will stay up here for the Karaka Million.”

Part-owner Rutten has had Karaka Million success in the past, having bought and owned the 2014 Karaka Million 2YO winner Vespa (NZ) (Elusive City) and the 2018 Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) winner Scott Base (NZ) (Dalghar) along with a series of placegetters in the lucrative features. New co-owners Australian Bloodstock also won the Karaka Million 2YO in 2012 with Ockham’s Razor (NZ) (Any Suggestion).

“This filly has got everything you need – strength, power and she’s a good size as well,” Rutten said. “She’s got great balance and some real strength about her. She also moves really well, which is something I always look for in a horse.

“Roydon and his team have done a fantastic job. They’ve got her in beautiful condition, beautiful order, and this great group of owners is having a bit of fun with her, I’d say.”