Sergeant Wilko Marches To Succes

Progressive 3yo’s are not only an important part of a yard but thoroughly enjoyable to watch. You can never be sure how horses progress from their juvenile season to their adolescent stage. There are some top handicaps on offer for the 3yo generation, over every trip and with great prize money on offer they are ultra competitive. Sergeant Wilko made it 3 from 4 for the year when winning the 6f Bet Boost At bet365 Handicap at Newmarket.

From day one Sergeant Wilko was an imposing horse, built like a sprinter and muscle bound. Despite his size, Wilko was an early 2yo and won on his second start, which led to King Power Racing purchasing the colt. Following that win he was set some stiff tasks in pattern company, and in hindsight it looked as though he was not quite the finished article, maybe a bit more raw than he looked from the outside.

Starting this year off a mark of 78 looked very fair and Sergeant Wilko immediately set about building that up. Winning on his return, over 6f, Wilko showed that he had done well over the winter and also showed he could stay the 6f. Unlucky next time out when carried out at the start, he would bounce right back at Leicester. Winning King Power’s own race, Sergeant Wilko continued on the upgrade and booked his place at Newmarket.

The 13 strong field were a varied bunch, progressive like Wilko or dropping down from a higher grade of race, showing the strength of field. Oisin Murphy rides many of the King Power trained horses and was in the saddle, looking to be positive from the outset. With the field splitting into two groups, Sergeant Wilko led the near side one racing towards the centre of the track. The two groups were racing like tram lines but little separated the leaders as they set a very strong gallop.

By halfway Sergeant Wilko had really stretched the field and as he free wheeled, the pace matinee around the 40mph mark. Oisin was actually one of the first jockeys to start working away as he wound up Wilko passing the 3f pole. Just getting him to lengthen and stretch, Oisin was lining up his run for when they hit the rising ground for the finish.

Continuing the run down into the dip the field were well spread out but it was still Sergeant Wilko who held the advantage. There were plenty of chances as the challengers now started to come through with their runs. Oisin was getting a good tune out of his mount but he really committed for home passing the 2f marker. With rivals looking to strike, it did seem as though Wilko could be a good target for the closers.

He was never passed but Sergeant Wilko had been joined on the far side. Now meeting the riding ground he clocked his rivals and began to edge left handed to maintain his run. Upsides his rival Sergeant Wilko found more and changed his legs to quicken up again. The leading pair had a clear lead but it was Sergeant Wilko who was finishing the strongest. He had been there to be shot at throughout the contest but still proved to be finishing the best. Striding out he took the win by a length.

Sergeant Wilko was impressive here, not only by the way he raced but he also showed a great attitude to repel all challenges and quicken off a very strong gallop. He really had to do it the hard way and in the end he won with a little bit in hand. It is likely that he will get a good rise in the handicap for this and the top heritage handicaps will likely be his future. Sergeant Wilko does hold an entry int he Stewards cup and that may well be under consideration after this display.