Western Victoria: Big autumn ahead for Woolsthorpe's Wil
By Tim Auld, February 3, 2025 - 1:02 PM

Boom Woolsthorpe-bred galloper Another Wil has pleased trainer Ciaron Maher in the lead-up to Saturday’s resumption in the $750,000 Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes at Caulfield.
“He’s in great order going into the Orr,” Maher said.
“He’s had two jumpouts at Cranbourne and he’s going really well. He wasn’t asked to do much but what he was asked to do he did well.
“The 1400 metres of the Orr is a great starting point for his campaign.”
Another Wil’s autumn targets include the $2.5 million Group 1  All-Star Mile at Flemington on March 8, the $1 million Group 1  George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill on March 22 and the $4 million Group 1 Doncaster Mile at Randwick on April 8.
Maher says he’s confident Another Wil can measure up.
“It’s no secret we’ve had a big opinion of him,” Maher said. “He’s going to have to step up this campaign as he’s going to be running against some top horses but I think he’s up to the challenges.”
The lightly raced five-year-old has won eight of his 13 starts.
Grace in favour
Warrnambool jockey Harry Grace scored the biggest win of his career when he guided $21 shot Herbert to victory in the $NZ120,000 Group 3 Taranaki Cup at New Plymouth in New Zealand last Saturday.
Grace followed up Saturday’s victory by scoring on  Commander Harry ($5.50) at Mount Gambier on  Sunday for Horsham trainer Paul Preusker.
The 25-year-old jockey said it was an enormous thrill to win the Taranaki Cup, his first Group 3.
“I’ve been lucky to have had a great run riding in New Zealand over the past few months,” he said. “The owners and trainers have been really supportive.
“I’ll be riding in New Zealand on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday of this week so I’m going to be really busy but that’s how I like to be.
“Various other trainers from Victoria and South Australia have been really supportive too, hence why I rode at Mount Gambier and was lucky enough to ride another winner on Sunday.”
Grace says he’s keen to try to snare his first Group 1 winner while the big races in New Zealand continue.
Valley joy for Jordyn
Warrnambool apprentice Jordyn Weatherley sang the praises of her boss, Tom Dabernig, after riding her first Moonee Valley winner last Friday night.
Weatherley scored on Dreamzel ($3.60 favourite) for Dabernig in a benchmark 64 over 1000 metres.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunities Tom has given me since I signed up as his apprentice nearly three years ago,” she said.
“Tom, his wife Cassie and the rest of the stable have been so supportive.
“I’ve been lucky because  I get the chance to ride all the horses in trackwork so it helps me get a better idea how they’re going.
“It was great to get my first winner at The Valley.
“I can vividly remember riding my pony  there about seven years ago — little did I think I’d ride a race winner there.
“My next goal is to ride a winner at Flemington. That would be really special.”
Weatherley, who has ridden 53 winners, can claim three kilograms in the city, two in the provincial area and 1.5kg in the country.
Cerchi set to strike
Local trainer Bill Cerchi is likely to have three runners at Friday’s Colac Cup meeting led by Diamond War, an $8 winner at Werribee last Friday.
Friday’s feature is the $70,000 Colac Cup over 2000 metres.

 


 

 

 

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