Progressive 3-year-old Wewillrock will head to the spelling paddock after a victory at Te Rapa yesterday which has trainer Guy Lowry keen to see how far he can go in his next racing campaign.
Lowry, who prepares the son of Westbury Stud stallion El Roca with training partner Grant Cullen, had been expecting his charge to produce a good showing with a gear change that saw him replace the visor blinkers he wore at his last start with a full set of blinkers yesterday.
Lowry felt the visor blinkers may have cost him the runner-up position behind filly Bonny Lass in the Group 3 Cambridge Breeders' Stakes (1200m) last month, when he was out-finished in the last few strides by Wairau Cove when placing third.
Despite a tardy start that cost him half a length yesterday, Wewillrock never looked in danger of defeat against his age-group rivals in the 1100m contest as he charged up against the rail at the point of the home turn for rider Jonathan Riddell, before cruising clear to win virtually untouched by a length-and-a-half.
"He did a bit wrong first up with the visor blinkers on, which may have cost him second," Lowry said. "The blinkers went back on and he showed the touch of class that he does have.