Wood’s golden run continues as 3-year-old looms as summer contender

That's Gold, ridden by apprentice jockey Tayla Mitchell, storms home to win the Bonecrusher Stakes at Pukekohe. Photo / Kenton Wright

Chris Wood has had faith from day one his promising youngster That’s Gold would make an impact on the track, and the gelding repaid that on Saturday when taking out the Group 3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe.

The 3-year-old son of Lucky Vega had shown plenty of ability for Wood as an early juvenile, placing in two starts and running fourth in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m), but a win remained elusive.

He returned as a 3-year-old and placed first-up at Te Aroha in October before breaking through for his maiden win at the Waikato track last month, much to Wood’s delight.

He was subsequently backed into a $7.10 fifth favourite in his second tilt at stakes level on Saturday and Wood had every faith of a bold showing from his charge.

From his inside draw, That’s Gold was only fair away but apprentice jockey Tayla Mitchell hunted him up on the rail to regain his early deficit to settle into midfield.

Turning for home, they had a wall of horses in front of them but Mitchell navigated her charge into clear running room out wide, where That’s Gold reeled in leader To Cap It All to win by half a length.

Wood cut an emotional figure post-race, delighted his gelding is starting to fulfil the promise he has always shown.

“It’s been a little while since I won a group race,” he said.

“I really like this horse, I might have over-raced him a couple of times as a 2-year-old. I was kicking myself as I thought he would win a race in that timeframe but we didn’t get one.

“I have always had a lot of faith in him, he has got plenty of ability.

“It was a 10/10 ride from Tayla. I said to her, ‘if you miss it, don’t panic because he will get trucking, so just let him relax and find his feet’. I couldn’t have asked for a better ride.”

Wood said That’s Gold has matured a lot as a 3-year-old and he is rapt his decision to knock back sizeable offers for his gelding as a juvenile has now been justified.

“He has matured physically and mentally,” Wood said. “After a couple of starts Yulong [breeders] rang me to try and buy him back, but I wasn’t going to pass him up. I knew he had it in him to get to where he is now, and today was his day.”

Wood is hoping That’s Gold can continue his winning momentum and now has his sights set on feature racing at Ellerslie in a couple of weeks.

“We are looking forward to the big meeting on Boxing Day,” he said.

– LOVERACING.NZ News Desk