SPECIAL OCCASION leads the way as Nathan returns to the “Mainland” this week with a two horse campaign at the Addington feature meetings.
Special Occasion, like most of the others, have Jumal to beat in the Sires Stakes Semi Final and that looks a tough ask given the barrier draws.But second is something Nathan can live with and has some has some confidence in.
“He’s done well since chasing Jumal in the Derby.Really well. I worked him Wednesday morning before we caught the plane and everything has gone right since we got here”
Nathan is based at Reagan Todd’s Yaldhurst base for at least a week and he also has BEWARE THE STORM in the $60,000 Bionic Chance Bracelet fortwo year old fillies.
“I wouldn;t say she could win but she has learned a lot from her debut and she will learn more here. But she is well, trained up to the mark and I’d put her in three with luck in the running”
John Dunn who has also been helping out with driving chorse in the north will drive both horses.
In Auckland Nathan lines up Incentivise after two workouts and while “we don’t expect him to win,he could surprise us”
Incentivise was purchased in the south in the spring and Mark retained a share. He has a tricky gate but has a secret weapon too.
“He is really good fresh. Both his workouts have been good.He will improve a lot with it. But he could upset our calculations with that fresh record”
Incentivise is in the first heat of a series with the final in two weeks and stablemate Georgie;s Best is likely to run in the second heat next week. He sat on Incentivise’s back in their latest workout and Nathan, who drove him was happy with the effort.
The fillies Alecto and Wat Next are our for 4-6 weeks before a spring campaign. Nathan admits Wat Next was disappointing in the Northern Oaks.
“She was never really in it. She has had a lot of knee problems and possibly that told because the fillies have been busy.
Alecto went a big race though. She can do it,has the ability, when things go her way. She has had some ordinary luck all prep.She made a lot of ground”