Signup to Ladbrokes

Races.com.au Favourite Bookmaker!

SPRNGC

Copy Signup Code

Code for tracking purposes only

Chances are you're about to lose.

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au

Persian Wonder announced himself as a serious spring player at Rosehill on Saturday, storming home late to score a brilliant upset in the 2026 Ming Dynasty Quality results, and in doing so launched a major move in Spring Champion Stakes odds — firming sharply from $26 into $11 through Ladbrokes for the 2000m Group 1 on October 24.

Sent out a $19 chance in this year’s Group 3 $250,000 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m), the David Payne-trained gelding produced a powerful finishing burst under Ash Morgan to reel in Stormy Marco and Tenenbaum in 1:22.89, confirming his rise through the three-year-old ranks and stamping himself as a genuine contender heading towards the Group 3 $500,00 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) back at the track next month and the 2026 Spring Champion Stakes.

Payne was quick to defend the gelding’s form and questioned how the market had let him start at such a big price.

“If you look at his form, I don’t know why he started 17-1,” he told Sky Thoroughbred Central post-win.

“The form people, I don’t think they’re doing their job properly because his sectionals were very good and all he needs is a good pace and he’s getting stronger.”

With a solid tempo unfolding — exactly what the stable wanted — Persian Wonder was able to settle, build, and unleash.

Payne confirmed the next steps throughout the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival for the progressive Kiwi-bred three-year-old.

“We’ll go to the Gloaming and maybe the Spring Champion,” he said.

“I hope he gets it (the 2000m of the Spring Champion Stakes). But we’ll see.”

He described the gelding as a big, laid-back type who has always shown promise but needed time to learn.

“He’s just a big, dumb bugger… nothing worries him,” Payne, who has prepared recent Spring Champion Stakes winners Ace High (2017) and Montefilia (2020), said.

“He’s not bred to get a trip, but everybody who rides him says he’ll stay so we’ll go to the Gloaming now.”

Morgan was equally bullish, revealing he had mapped out the horse’s spring path weeks ago.

“I was really conscious of trying to hold a spot from the gate,” the jockey said.

“He is a horse I really like but he is a little bit raw still.

“I knew if I got a gap soon enough he was going to be strong late.

He added that he had asked to stick with the gelding heading into the Ming Dynasty, Gloaming and Spring Champion Stakes.

“I got off him last start and said Ming Dynasty, Gloaming and Spring Champion Stakes and I asked if I could stay on… I really like the horse, he has a lot of ability but is still working it out,” he said.

Morgan followed James McDonald on Stormy Marco into the race before peeling off his back to launch the winning run.

“He was good late and he will love it when he gets out in trip,” he said.

The beaten jockeys were full of praise for the placegetters, with McDonald describing Stormy Marco’s run as “terrific under the weight,” while Chad Schofield labelled the third placed Tenenbaum as “a lovely colt on the way up.”

Several runners were noted as wanting further, including Savagram and Genesis Runner, who both closed strongly late.

For Persian Wonder, the Ming Dynasty Quality was the breakthrough he had been threatening.

With a record now showing 10 starts for 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third and $291,350 in prizemoney, plus earlier black-type form in the Baillieu and Pierro Plate, the Hello Youmzain gelding has taken a significant step forward at the right time of year.

His late surge, strong sectionals and ability to build through his gears all point to a horse ready for 1600m–2000m targets — and Payne’s confidence that he will stay adds further intrigue.