Jean Feiss has had many triumphs at Alexandra Park over the years, most of them with fillies, Chase the Dream plus no less than three Auckland Cups. But the Alabar Classic (G2) with Sherlock was a first in that feature and also a first for Nathan, only recently having gone into partnership with Mark.
And it all happened in a G2 event that punches well above its weight.
The 7 winners preceding Sherlock are Akuta,American Dealer,Copy That,Ultimate Sniper,Chase Auckland,Ultimate Machete and Lazarus (Chase the Dream unplaced but not far away) as well as Smolda further back. That is a hell of a list of Group One winners going on from a Group Two race.
And Nathan saw signs of even better things to come.
“Sherlock has been largely a sit and sprint horse.That is probably the first time really he has taken hold of a race and run it out so well. It is a big step forward for him.”
Third placed Sinbad,who had to overcome a horror draw, also drew Nathan’s praise.
“I’m waiting for the day he gets a good gate and especially over a distance” he said
“I think a race like the (Woodlands) Derby is going to suit him maybe even if he doesn’t get all favours in the draw because he’s tough and still improving”
The two youngsters and possibly With Style have a Sires Stakes heat and a Derby coming up in the next few weeks
This week however Nathan’s attention is closer to home with up to 13 runners at the Ashburton trials on Tuesday including eight two year olds.
“Its been good being home the last two weeks to keep an eye on the babies progress, always a good time of the season to assess them.”
If they shape as well as the current three year olds like Sherlock,Sinbad and not forgetting Don’t Stop Dreaming, he will be a happy man indeed.