If he wins…you’ll hear me!

IF YOU’RE at Club Menangle on Saturday night and hear a loud scream, don’t stress, it will mean Wahaka is in front with 50 metres to go or has just crossed the line ahead of the field.

Admitting she gets excited when the gelding wins, trainer Karen Crouch isn’t afraid to express her joy.

“I was screaming pretty loudly when he won at Menangle last week,” Crouch said. “The race caller and even the drivers could hear me…and that was only a midweek meeting!

“If he wins on a Saturday night, everyone at the track will know it.”

In sensational form, Wahaka has won three of his four starts this season – two at Menangle and one in Tamworth.

Wahaka’s first victory of the year on January 13 broke a 12-month drought from the winners’ circle.

“He has always had ability, but is just a very naughty boy to the point his previous trainer ran out of patience and asked if I wanted to try him,” Crouch explained. “I had his half-brother Turbo Tommy, so I figured I would give him a try.

“A lot of hard work has gone into getting him this far, particularly on getting him to settle.

“Around the stable he is a gentleman, the quietest horse here to the point a kid could walk him without a problem, but once he is on the track, he just wanted to take off.

“He is a lot calmer now and the results are showing…plus he’s my baby and he loves the extra attention.”

Stepping up in grade this weekend, Wahaka will begin from barrier four over 1609 metres, with Josh Gallagher to partner the son of Sunshine Beach.

“He he won’t be rushed out of the gate,” Crouch said. “Just come out, hold his position and see where he ends up.

“Hopefully they will keep the tempo on so we can use his speed at the end.

“Actually the quicker they go, the quicker he will go.”