Trainers Evan and JJ Rayner believe they have their stable star Start Wondering is on track to defend his Sistema Railway (1200m) crown on New Year's Day, starting today at Otaki.
The son of Eighth Wonder rose to prominence when he downed the best sprinters in this year's Ellerslie feature and went on to make his mark in three other group ones, including victory in the group one NRM Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa.
Those wins, plus his seconds in the group one J.R. & N. Berkett Telegraph (1200m) and Haunui Farm Group One WFA Classic (1600m), earned him the New Zealand Champion Sprinter award and the Rayners are confident he can measure up along the same path this campaign.
"He had a good break after Brisbane and he's come back looking great," Evan Rayner said. "He's had exhibition gallops between races at Otaki and Waverley, but he hasn't been to the trials. He could have gone to the Waverley or Foxton trials, but we don't want him too tuned up. He has done enough."
Star Wondering will resume in today's Fasttrack Insurance Levin Stakes (1200m) at Otaki under the clear topweight of 61kg.