“We never make plans on raceday, so I can’t really say what we do next with him, but I guess we will be guided a little by the weight increases he cops, as it won’t take long to get to the top of the handicaps with him.”
Earlier in the day, outstanding hurdler Nedwin lumped 70kg to victory in the Waikato Hurdle (3200m). The 8-year-old took the jumping scene by storm last year with four wins from six starts, including the Wellington Hurdle (3400m).
Unbeaten in two starts on the flat to open this campaign, Nedwin was too good again, as Kuru produced a patient effort to get him home.
Allowed to settle well back off a hot speed, Kuru brought his mount into contention on the home turn as he began to chase down rank outsider Odysseus ($51), who had found the lead at that stage.
The pair battled over the final 400m, with Nedwin gaining the upper hand to run out the winner by half a length, with Abu Dhabi third.
“He has never been ridden back like that, so I was in two minds as to how he was actually travelling most of the way,” Nelson said.
“He showed his class in the finish, and Aaron did say that while he was a fair way off them early on, he had plenty of horse under him, and when asked for the effort, he found nicely.
“He is also at the top of the weights now, so we will have to look at how we place him for the rest of the winter.”
- LoveRacing News