3 minute read
Ability was something that Nova Warrior was not known to have in short supply, but the way he spreadeagled supposedly tougher rivals when brought back to turf on Sunday has suddenly cast him in a new light.
From 14 previous starts, the Bachelor Duke four-year-old, who is widely recognised more as a Polytrack expert, had run over turf only twice, and scored once (over 1200m) for his only success on that surface from his tally of six wins.
But trainer Alwin Tan never ruled out a return to grass for the Nova Racing Stable-owned galloper, especially if he was well in on weights.
And that was the case in Sunday’s $125,000 The British Club Gallop 2016, a Kranji Stakes A race over 1200m when he was weighted at only 52kgs, even if he was up against much better cattle like Daniel, Flak Jacket and The Nutcracker among others.
In the end, it was Nova Warrior who won like he was in a class of his own.
Beginning the fastest, jockey Manoel Nunes slammed on the brakes when speed merchant Goal Keeper (Salim Yusoff) whipped around to wrest the lead away from him.
Theo Kieser’s charge kept careering away while Nunes wisely bided his time until the point of turn.
Goal Keeper soon showed the white flag when he straightened up and that was the moment Nova Warrior stepped up to be counted. In one fell swoop, he hit the lead and in a few bounds cleared out for a most authoritative win.
Nova Warrior ($22) defeated $13 favourite Flak Jacket (Glen Boss) by 3 ¾ lengths with El Milagro (Matthew Kellady) third another 1 ½ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 9.3secs for the 1200m on the Short Course.
Tan said Nova Warrior has always shown a big heart, but he actually never really knew how big until Sunday, even if he concedes the light weight did give him wings.
“The light weight helped, but he’s always been a nice horse with a big heart,” said the Singaporean handler.
“We were a bit concerned he was running back-to-back this week, but when we checked on the weight he got, we thought it was a race worth going for. He was fit to race, anyway.
“It was also quite a tough field, but he showed today he could challenge the upper class very well.
“I don’t think I will test him beyond 1200m, though. 1200m is his max as I’m a bit worried about his stamina.”
Nunes was also suitably impressed by the electric turn of foot shown by Nova Warrior, whom he rode only once before – at his winning debut in a 1000m scamper, but is adamant the alternative track is still his strongest suit.
“Wow! That was very impressive, wasn’t it?” exclaimed Nunes upon dismounting.
“I haven’t ridden him since his first race, but I know he’s a lovely horse and has always shown ability from the beginning.
“I jumped on him on Wednesday for a canter on the Hong Kong (clockwise) track (sand) and he felt very well. With 52kgs, he deserved a chance at this race.
“He’s a horse who likes to go forward and doesn’t like to chase, but on paper, I knew there would be a lot of speed in the race with Flak Jacket and El Milagro even if they are stablemates.
“He was quick out of the machine and he travelled so well for me. When I popped him off the fence coming off the back, he just got into the race by himself.
“I think he can handle any track but I still think he’s better over Polytrack. He’s improving all the time, and if he stays sound, he will win a lot more races.”
Nova Warrior has now taken his handy record to seven wins and three placings from 15 starts for stakes earnings in excess of $330,000 for the Nova Racing Stable.