Wilson hopes to repeat recent Gatton success

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Marcus Wilson will be a happy camper if he can repeat his last successful trip to Gatton when he returns with a small team on Thursday.

Wilson saddled three starters at the last Gatton meeting on July 10 and returned home to the Gold Coast with two wins and a second.

“My last trip to Gatton was pretty good and hopefully we can do something similar again,” Wilson said.

Wilson accepted with Thunderous in the Ratings 0-55 Handicap along with Darling Take Care in the Ratings 0-55 Handicap and Escape Beach in the Ratings 0-60 Handicap.

He also has Siglo De Oro, which was one of Wilson’s recent Gatton winners, in the Benchmark 61 Handicap but he’s walking a tightrope to make the field from first emergency.

Siglo De Oro was an on-line Inglis Digital buy after going winless in his five starts for Ciaron Maher in Sydney while Thunderous was another on-line buy after two failures for Warwick Farm trainer Gary Portelli.

Both are now part-owned by Gold Coast-based syndicator John Crook’s Winners Racing.

“John is an electrician by trade but he’s got around a dozen horses in work with me including a few yearlings and two-year-olds,” Wilson said.

“He’s been a great client over the past few years and he part-owns Blacksmith which won on debut at Doomben recently.”

Thunderous was convincingly beaten by the Beau Gorman-trained Flitgrove at his last appearance but Wilson is hopeful he can bounce back.

“He’s only had one run back from a spell but he’s very honest,” Wilson said.

“It’s about three weeks between runs for him but I’ve tried to keep him sharp and fresh for this.

“He’s got a good record at Gatton and he’ll probably be looking for 1400 meters after this run.”

Thunderous has started four times at Gatton for a win and two placings but has won only once in eight starts over 1100 metres.

Wilson, who has 26 horses in work, believes Thunderous will improve the deeper he goes into his campaign.

Wilson was impressed with Siglo De Oro’s recent Gatton victory after taking him to Ballina when he finished fourth at his previous start on a heavy track in June.

“He won well and it was a great ride from Bailey Wheeler who will ride him again if he gets a start,” Wilson said.

“He’s got a bit of ability and a few quirks to go with it but he’s starting to put it all together now.

“Hopefully, he can win again and gets some more confidence so he can lift his rating.”