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By Ray Hickson

The importance of a win by lightly raced four-year-old Mr Wong at Warwick Farm on Wednesday isn’t lost on his trainer Stephen Jones.

Trainer Stephen Jones

A win, or at very least a second placing, in the Ranvet Handicap (1400m) is needed for Mr Wong to boost his rating and sure up a place in the Country Championships Wild Card at Muswellbrook on March 22.

The gelding was balloted from the Hunter & North West Qualifier at Tamworth, won by Ligulate from the Jones-trained Hit The Target, forcing Jones into Plan B for a horse he’s certain is Championships material.

“I realise it’s not going to be an easy race, we’ve nearly got to win,’’ Jones said.

“We’re really hoping for the best, he’s as good as any of them in that race.”

The Scone trainer has enlisted in-form jockey Samantha Clenton to ride Mr Wong into contention for the last two places in the Country Championships.

Clenton has woven her magic to win two of the six Qualifiers so far (on Magnalane at Taree and Ligulate last weekend) and while she’s yet to ride Mr Wong she has had success for the stable.

“Sam won on Hit The Target and I haven’t been able to get her since. I hope she helps me out,’’ Jones said.

“He has plenty of ability, he’s only lightly raced and the only time we’ve really seen him has been at Randwick.

“He’s a horse that can’t find a lot of luck – I’d rather draw the outside than one with him.’’

Barrier one was a major contributor to Mr Wong’s downfall second-up in a Class 3 Highway at Rosehill on February 22, following a brilliant first-up Randwick win, when beaten four lengths into fourth place by Two Big Fari.

Todd Howlett's galloper will again be out to deny Mr Wong at Warwick Farm, the duo were $6 with TAB on Tuesday, as he seeks those valuable ratings points to reach the Wild Card.

“The worst thing he could have done was draw the one and it was no fault of Hughie (Bowman) but he just got checks everywhere and I don’t think he got a clear run at all,’’ Jones said.

“All he wants is a clear run, we don’t want to be looking for any side runs.’’

Jones said barrier four, the 1.5kg claim for Clenton and a rain affected track provide the right scenario for Mr Wong to prove himself worthy of taking on the likes of Bobbing and Mahalangur at Muswellbrook.

Mr Wong runs fourth at Warwick Farm on February 22

Meanwhile, Hit The Target is unlikely to race again before the $500,000 Newhaven Park Country Championships Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 4 but Jones said he came through his second placing at Tamworth in fine style.

It was his second run from a spell and he may have a barrier trial, though Jones will play that by ear for now, prior to the grand final.

“He usually takes a couple of runs to come right anyway, he’ll be primed for the main race,’’ he said.

“He’s not a horse that cops a lot of work, we’ll just keep him ticking over and get him ready again. It was a thought to give him a trial but we will see how it goes.’’

Hit The Target is a $15 chance in TAB’s Country Championships all-in market while Mr Wong is $26.

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday's Warwick Farm meeting