Hong Kong buyers have been circling NZ-based 3yo More Wonder for months but the Mossman gelding remains under the ownership of his breeder Gerry Harvey and trainer Graeme Rogerson.

Unlike the majority of Kiwi stakeholders, Harvey doesn’t need to sell to make ends meet and Rogerson has no peer as a horse-trader.  Ergo, More Wonder is still on terra firma at Rogerson’s Tuhikaramea stables and gunning for a Group 1 in the New Year.

He’s a firming $8 second-favourite for the Levin Classic at Trentham on January 12 and holds further Group 1 nominations for the Thorndon Mile on January 19 and NZ Derby on March 2.

More Wonder (pictured) produced an eye-catching performance in the Hyslop Plumbing Premier (1400m) at Awapuni on December 22.  After blowing the start and settling a clear last, he sprinted to the lead at the half-mile and kicked again in the straight to win by two lengths.

Rogerson has always rated the son of Vinery sire Mossman.  “He’s a pretty handy horse and ran an enormous race in the NZ 2000 Guineas last month.  We had him on the market for $600,000 and would have been a great buy for Hong Kong.”

The asking price undoubtedly increased after Awapuni.  “I was going to give him time to work into the race but he was pulling quite hard so I let him slide forward,” jockey Johnathan Parkes said.  “Once he got to the front, he travelled easily and was simply too good for them.  He’s a very serious horse.”

Rogerson’s stable rep Michelle Northcott was pleased with the effort despite a wayward trip.  “He was pretty impressive although he did a bit wrong,” she said.  “He over-raced and still got the job done.”

Mossman got him from Harvey’s More Than Ready mare Wonderworld making him a three-quarter brother to 2013 Macau Horse of the Year Wonder Mossman.  It’s the family of Melbourne Cup winner Jezabeel.

There are three Mossman colts entered for Book 1 of the Gold Coast Magic Millions including the half-brother to More Than Ready’s Sydney stakes winner Hot ‘N’ Ready (Lot 338).