Theoneandonly chasing Wyong breakthrough for Waller

With an eye on longer races and a potential tilt at the Queensland winter, a New Zealand-bred three-year-old is out to announce his staying prowess at Thursday’s feature Wyong meeting.

Lightly raced Theoneandonly lines up for only his third start carrying top weight in a Maiden Handicap over a mile.

Based at the Warwick Farm stables of Chris Waller, Theoneandonly has been solid in the market before working home in two provincial maidens on heavy ground to start his career.

But over a little further on a surface that should settle around Soft 6, this somewhat unfashionable gelding is ready to make a statement, although ultimately 2000m and beyond will likely be his go.

A son of Kiwi stallion The Bold One, and out of a NZ mare by multiple group race winner Al Akbar, Theoneandonly is curiously part of one of the smaller provincial teams even seen from the Waller juggernaut, with only three runners, including the rank outsider in that same race, across the eight-race card.

The same can’t be said for the Joe Pride yard who is eyeing off a big day.

He opens with a three-prong attack in a Maiden Hcp over 1200m, headed by emerging Sebring filly Silent Raindrops who looks very hard to beat third-up.

The stable then pins its faith in well-bred filly Vegas On Fire at her third start in a Maiden over 1600m after electing to bypass Wednesday’s Kembla meeting.