"It just took three or four starts for the penny to drop and that is typical of the very best of the Pentire stayers," says Wheeler.
One warning, Wheeler is adamant Pentathlon will not be taking his place if rain arrives tomorrow. Original forecasts were for rain today with possible showers tomorrow, but more recent updates suggest rain, possibly heavy from around late morning or midday.
"If that happens I will definitely be pulling him out," Wheeler told the Herald yesterday.
Wheeler said the Wellington Cup has always been his main target.
"He needs another run before the Wellington Cup and if he misses this race he will line up in the Trentham Stakes earlier in the Wellington carnival."
For the record, Pentathlon's lightning rise comprises: $7000 R65 1800m Taranaki, $30,000 R65 2500m Riccarton, R85 $40,000 2500m and R85 $30,000, 3200m Trentham.
"Don't worry, if he runs and the track is firm he will be right in this race," says Wheeler.
Current City Of Auckland favourite is topweight Farm Boy. His form is essentially on decent surfaces but he has a win on a slow track. However, he might require a decent track under 60kg topweight.
If the rain arrives none will appreciate it more than Ryan Mark in the $200,000 Sistema Railway Stakes. He pulled up scratchy in his action when only third on a firm surface in the Concorde at Ellerslie last start and is very much looking for an easing in conditions. If rain arrives his current TAB Final Field quote of $5.50 would be generous.
Rain would definitely suit Celebrity Miss in the Auckland Cup. She is underrated and will appreciate the drop back to handicap class from weight-for-age.
She has seven wins on good tracks, but has two wins and two placings from five starts on rain-affected surfaces.
Trainer Stephen Marsh is pleased Sofia Rosa has recovered well from her heavy fall when favourite in the Eight Carat Stakes on Boxing Day and will take her place in the Royal Stakes tomorrow.
Scrutinize will start favourite in the $100,000 The Hits Great Northern Guineas, coming out of an ideal No 3 barrier.
A friendship dating back to Craig Thornton's successful stint as a jumps jockey in the United States may be further rewarded with a group three victory at Ellerslie tomorrow.
Now training at Cambridge, Thornton will be represented by the Australian-bound Manolo Blahniq in the Barneswood Farm Eclipse Stakes.
From the first crop of the multiple group one winner Jimmy Choux, the colt was a $115,000 Karaka purchase by Victorian trainer Tony Noonan out of Curraghmore Stud's draft.
"Tony and I have been mates for a long time, I met him in America about 15 years ago and have done some pre-training for him before now," Thornton said.
Thornton's time, however, will be short with Manolo Blahniq who can confirm his place in New Zealand's richest race with a bold run on New Year's Day. "He'll be going over to Melbourne shortly after the Karaka Million," he said.
City of Auckland Cup
The TAB Final Field market:
$5 Farm Boy
$7.50 Pentathlon
$9 Celebrity Miss, Decorah
$10 The Tidy Express
$12 Show The World
$16 Blizzard, Salford Art
$18 Mister Impatience.
- Additional reporting NZ Racing Desk
