Multiple Group One winner ready for new stable debut

MULTIPLE Group One winner Wolf Stride will make his debut for Andy Gath this weekend.

Wolf Stride joined Gath’s stable after leviathan owner Emilio Rosati and co-trainers Anthony Butt and Sonya Smith decided to part ways last month.

First-up since capturing the Riverina Championship in Wagga on April 4, Wolf Stride is engaged in the free-for-all in Geelong on Saturday night.

The son of Rock N Roll Heaven heads into the 2100-metre contest on the strength of two recent trials, including Geelong last night.

Rating 1:57.9 over 2100 metres, Wolf Stride covered the final quarter in 27 seconds.

To be driven by Gath’s record-breaking wife Kate, Wolf Stride is the sole starter from the second line.

TAB  Fixed Odds have responded to the five-year-old’s draw by listing him as a $2.25 favourite, with Torrid Saint considered the biggest threat from barrier five at $3.30.

“I’ve been pretty happy with his progress,” Gath said. “His work has been solid and his two trials have been quite good.

“Obviously I know he is a high class pacer, but he hasn’t been here long so I am still getting to know him as a horse.

“What he has shown so far has been impressive.”

With several majors on the agenda during the next few months, Gath has earmarked next week’s Caduceus Classic at Tabcorp Park Melton as Wolf Stride’s first main target.

“There is a Group One for him next week,” Gath said “I considered going into it fresh, but wanted to get a run into him before hand, so he’s going around in Geelong.

“He’s ready to go, but whatever he does on the weekend he will benefit from.

“A little further down the track he’ll be aimed towards the Victoria Cup in October.”