Big money turned down for impressive debut winner

SEVERAL lucrative offers have been turned down for Wattosultimatefire following his debut in Bathurst last night.

Creating an impression with four trials wins, Wattosultimatefire extended the form to the racetrack for owner-trainer Wayne Watterson.

With Watterson in the cart, the two-year-old led throughout from the pole to score by nine metres from Your Shuffle, with Lucky Jess 14-and-a-half metres away third.

Covering the last half in a slick 56 seconds, Wattosultimatefire rated 1:55 over 1720 metres.

Rapt with the colt’s progress, Watterson revealed he fielded an inquiry for the son of Ultimate Machete before he left the venue.

“I’ve had a few people ask about him, including one pretty much before I got off the track,” Watterson said. “We’re talking big money, but I said ‘no thanks’.

“He is the best I have had since Skyman, which had 15 wins and five placings from 20 starts before injury ended his career, and I’ve been waiting 20 years for another one like him.

“I’ve said if I ever get another one like Skyman I’ll be holding on to him and that’s what I plan to do.

“I’m 63 and can’t want another 20 years for the next one, so I thought money is not everything and I’d rather get the enjoyment out of him.”

Earmarking the New South Wales Breeders’ Challenge as Wattosultimatefire’s first major target,

Watterson plans to “test the water” in the Tatlow Stakes at Club Menangle on August 29.

“The Tatlow at the end of the month looks like a good option to test the water with him,” Watterson said. “I want to give him another run before then.

“After the Tatlow he will have a week off before the Breeders’ Challenge, which is in October.”