Despite drawing the extreme outside barrier at Gosford this weekend, connections of Awesome Wonder are staying the course, targeting long-range opportunities that could still yield Black Type success.

Trainer Tom Charlton, who shares duties with John O’Shea, says the mare will likely take her place in the Tooheys Benchmark 78 Handicap (2100m), even with the wide draw proving a challenge.

“We held her back a week from Hawkesbury looking for a better track,” Charlton explained.

“There is nothing at Scone for her next week so our hands might be a bit forced.

“There are a couple of nice mile-and-a-half races that followed this so it’s whether she runs and prepares for them.”

The Galileo mare, out of Group 1 winner Nechita, was previously retired to stud but returned to racing after missing out on a pregnancy. Her fifth in last year’s Tattersall’s Gold Crown at Eagle Farm showed she’s capable of matching it with stakes company.

Her comeback effort last month over 1600m at Warwick Farm suggested she’s on track for another productive campaign.

“She missed getting in foal this season so she is back and racing well and working well,” Charlton said.

“It’s not out of the realms of possibility she could pick up a nice race this campaign.”

The stable will also be represented at Gosford by Hurstville Zagreb, who competes in the Polvin Fencing Systems Handicap (1600m) and is being set for the Queensland Derby later this prep.

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