Wassergeist gets maiden win on the board

Wassergeist has been earmarked for a role in the spring carnival after winning at Sandown.

With his maiden victory out of the way connections of Sandown winner Wassergeist have their eyes firmly fixed on richer spring offerings.

Having his third race start in Wednesday’s Chandler Macleod Plate, Wassergeist showed his credentials with an all-the-way win.

Entered for next month’s Caulfield Guineas and Cox Plate, co-trainer Natalie Young, who prepares the three-year-old with partner Trent Busuttin, said the colt was an exciting prospect.

“Now that he’s got that win on the board we can now look to those better races,” she said.

Ridden by Craig Williams, Wassergeist was sent off the $2.40 favourite in defeating New Zealand galloper Weather With You ($4.40) by 1-1/4 lengths with Villermont ($16) a half-head away third.

Young said they would like to target the Caulfield Guineas Prelude on October 1 en-route to the Caulfield Guineas but may switch their sights to the Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley two days earlier.

“He’s a Fastnet Rock so it would be good if we can get him to that stallion-making race,” Young said of the Caulfield Guineas.

“And it’s good to see these colours win for Shane Baertschiger who trains up in Singapore plus he’s got a few heavy hitters in the ownership including Coolmore, Newgate Farm and Tommy Heptinstall.”

Young said Wassergeist would have no trouble handling a step up in distance from the 1400m he was successful over on Wednesday.

Apprentice Chelsea Hall guided Sunday Pray to an all-the-way victory in the Drew Morphett Handicap to land her first metropolitan success.

Apprenticed to Sunday’s Pray trainer John Moloney, the 26-year-old was beginning to wonder if she would ever get that illusive breakthrough win.

Through May and June, Hall racked up successive Saturday placings on Liberty Song at Caulfield and Moonee Valley, beaten less than a half-length.

“They were pretty shattering,” Hall said.

“John gave me plenty of opportunities on him but I just couldn’t get the job done in very close finishes, so it’s great to be able to get the job done today.”