By Jordan Gerrans
Central Queensland has been a hot breeding ground for QTIS Jewel hopefuls in recent years and veteran trainer John Wigginton is eager for it to roll on into 2023.
Sweet Dolly (2021 2YO winner), Ahooshu (2021 2YO runner-up) and Better Rain (2022 2YO runner-up) have all called Rockhampton home before coming to the city for the feature QTIS race day.
John Wigginton’s In Evidence won through to the 2YO decider this year with victory in the Mackay qualifier on Saturday afternoon, improving his career record to two victories and two minor placings from just four starts.
Wigginton – a multiple Callaghan Park premiership winning trainer – is looking forward to getting to Brisbane next month.
“He is coming down at this stage,” Wigginton said.
“The horse is in the paddock at the moment, we will give him a couple of days to freshen him up.”
The son of Nicconi was a $50,000 Magic Millions purchase for Wigginton – who owns half of the emerging galloper – with a large group of connections.
Experienced trainer Wigginton has taken countless horses from CQ to the city across his tenure in the industry and always had high hopes for In Evidence.
“He has been very handy,” Wigginton said.
“From day one, he did everything pretty professional.
“He is the right article, he was well put together.
“He is not big but he is very well put together.”
Top provincial hoop Ryan Wiggins had to navigate In Evidence from a wide gate in Saturday’s 1100 metre contest but was able to find a perfect gap in the home straight to score by just under a length.
“I thought he went terrific,” Wigginton said of the victory.
“There is more to come with him, I hope.”
Wigginton scored juvenile city success back in 2018 when Better Reflection won the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes.