Trainer Pessimistic About Like Wildfire's 720m Debut

Wednesday marks the first time exciting staying prospect Like Wildfire will attempt the 720 metre staying trip and his astute trainer Michael Ivers is cautious on what he expects.

Like Wildfire has quickly become one of the most exciting staying prospects in the country with seven wins from eight starts consisting of track record performances over the 600m journeys at Gosford and The Gardens in the past two months.

FIELDS AND FORM WENTWORTH PARK WEDNESDAY

Ivers, one of Australia's most respected conditioners of stayers, has his doubts heading into Like Wildfire's Wentworth Park staying debut.

"He's stepping up to top grade in a hurry and the big problem is he's got to get to the lead," Ivers said.

"Then he has to answer the question – can he run 700 metres.

"He can be a bit slow early and I don't know it he will get to the lead early enough.

???Like Wildfire makes it four wins from as many starts and shatters the 603m track record at Gosford, stopping the clock at 33.96 ???

The previous record was held by Blue Moon Rising at 34.21. pic.twitter.com/POYTAtaWTl

— Dimity Maher (@DimityMaher) May 23, 2023

"The main thing I want to get out of Wednesday night is for him to show me he can run the 700m out.

"I don't know if he can win the race."

Wednesday night's event is a tough initiation to the classic staying trip.

The field for the Non Graded Stake consists of proven top grade performers Punter's Bandit and Ritza Pyper as well as emerging chasers Zipping Vanessa and Zipping Digby.

"Andy Lord has Punter's Bandit in the two and she's a top grade proven bitch and can run around 41.7," Ivers said.

"I doubt my bloke would have a hope in hades of running her down if she leads him.

? New Track Record – The Gardens – 600m – 33.88

? Like Wildfire makes it 5 wins from 5 starts and smashes the track record of 34.14.

?? Congrats to trainer Michael Ivers and connections!

? Goodesy x Freaky Tears pic.twitter.com/BXhTWtSckR

— Dimity Maher (@DimityMaher) June 3, 2023

"The eight (Ritza Pyper) led him at The Gardens last start so it's boxed to annoy him early too.

"If he can be within four or five lengths of Andy's dog, then I'd say he is going to be a reasonable stayer."

Despite the quality of the line-up, Ivers said he gave no thoughts to bypassing the challenging contest to wait for another day.

"There's no races and I want to have him ready for the NSW National Distance Final if he shows me he can run the 700," he said.

"The race is just on four weeks away."

The NSW National Distance Final is scheduled for Thursday, August 10.

Ivers has a rich history in the National Distance Final having won the race in 1999 with the great Kobble Creek while he also owned another superstar of the staying ranks, Tornado Tears, the 2018 champion.