Persian Wonder steps up in Ming Dynasty

Persian Wonder (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) continued his progression towards the Sydney spring middle distance features with a strong victory in the Gr.3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Trained by David Payne and ridden by Ash Morgan, the New Zealand-bred son of Hello Youmzain relished a strongly-run race to defeat Stormy Marco by half a length, with Tenebaum close up in third.

Sent out a $19 chance, Persian Wonder was squeezed shortly after the start before settling back in the field as a genuine tempo was established.

Morgan was able to improve into the race behind Stormy Marco approaching the straight and, once into clear running, Persian Wonder finished strongly to claim the second victory of his 10-start career and his first at stakes level.

Payne was surprised by the gelding's price, having been encouraged by his recent performances and sectional times.

“If you look at his form, I don’t know why he started 17-1,” Payne said.

“The form people, I don’t think they’re doing their job properly because his sectionals were very good and all he needs is a good pace and he’s getting stronger.”

Persian Wonder had finished just over a length from Genesis Runner and Savagram at his previous appearance and Payne felt the drop in weight gave him a strong chance on Saturday.

“He’s been a bit unlucky. I think he is learning to race now. He has taken a while, but he dropped three kilos from his last start, and he only got beaten a length or so by Genesis Runner and Savagram.

“I thought, gee, he comes into the race with a big chance.”

Payne said Persian Wonder had always shown ability but was only now beginning to understand what was required of him.

“He’s just a big, dumb bugger. He’s very laidback. Nothing worries him,” he said.

“He’s not bred to get a trip, but everybody who rides him says he’ll stay, so we’ll go to the Gloaming now.”

The Gr.3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) will be contested at Rosehill on October 10 before the A$2million Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) a fortnight later at Randwick.

“We’ll go to the Gloaming and maybe the Spring Champion,” Payne said. “I hope he gets it, the 2000m of the Spring Champion Stakes. But we’ll see.”

Morgan has been a strong believer in Persian Wonder and had already mapped out a similar spring programme for the three-year-old following his previous start.

“He is a horse I really like but he is a little bit raw still,” Morgan said.

“I knew if I got a gap soon enough he was going to be strong late.

“He’s still learning but is a very nice horse. I got off him last start and said Ming Dynasty, Gloaming and Spring Champion Stakes and I asked if I could stay on.”

By Cambridge Stud stallion Hello Youmzain, Persian Wonder is out of the Pivotal mare Steer By The Stars.

Saturday's victory advanced his record to two wins and three placings from 10 starts, with earnings of A$291,350.