The most expensive colt from the second crop of Australian yearlings by Big
Brown, Wudang Mountain was a $155,000 Inglis Classic purchase from the Vinery
Stud draft for Star Thoroughbreds.Running in the ownership of leading Waller stable client CC Lai, Wudang Mountain was always in contention from gate one for Hugh Bowman and was tenacious in the run to the line, taking the 1300 metre maiden by a neck.
It was his first run back from a spell following a debut fourth at Rosehill earlier in the year behind stakes fillies Sempre Libera and Flippant.
"He's a nice horse, we've always liked him," Waller said.
"He didn't quit put it together in his first preparation but now that he's come back, I think he's got a bright future."
The timing of the win has Waller leaning towards bypassing the spring with the son of Big Brown, although he is a first acceptor for the Group I ATC Golden Rose in September.
"I don't think he will quite fit in just yet so maybe we'll back off for now," he said.
"We don't want to burn him out early."
Wudang Mountain is a half-brother to stakes-winner Silversands and is the fourth winner for Catbird mare Meriwether, who died last year.
Big Brown came to Australia with a flurry of publicity courtesy of John Singleton's involvement and stood his initial season at a fee of $44,000, but results have been slow to come with just one Australian stakes-winner in the shape of WA based Neverland.
In 2015, Big Brown has been standing in the US at Dutchess Views Farm in New York state at a fee of $8,500
