Star’s younger sibling makes perfect debut

WHILE his older more famous sibling is being primed for the southern hemisphere’s biggest race Will He Reign made an unassuming start to his career in Shepparton last night.

Trained and driven by Damian Wilson, the Australian Pacing Gold purchased trounced his rivals over 1690 metres.

Beginning well from the pole, Will He Reign was settled two-back along the pegs before being shuffled to the tail of the field.

Forced to the extreme outside around the final bend, the colt unleashed an impressive sprint on his way to a nine-and-a-half metre win from Ideal Son, which also caught the eye upon debut.

Black Jax was three metres away third in 2:00.7.

“He’s shown plenty of promise on the training track, but last night was the first time I’ve asked him to go,” Wilson said.

“Once I set him off around them he grabbed the bit and really wanted to go.

“After settling so well in the run I was pretty happy with the way he finished it off.”

By Sweet Lou, the two-year-old is a half-brother to multiple Group One winner, Bondi Lockdown.

Also an APG purchase, Bondi Lockdown is part of Saturday night’s elite $1million Garrards Miracle Mile field at Club Menangle.

“If he can turn out as good as Bondi Lockdown we’ll be pretty happy,” Wilson said. “He’s got a long way to go to reach the same level, but he’s started off the right way.”

Setting his sights on the rich APG Sales Series, Wilson will also arrange Will He Reign’s season around the Breeders’ Crown and Vicbred later in the year.

“It’ll be a big step for the APG, but you only get one go at those races so I may as well head that way,” Wilson said. “Whether he is up to that time will tell.

“From what he has shown so far though, his owners should enjoy a pretty good time with him.”