Nathan experienced one of the big disappointments of his career when The Real Sherlock had to be withdrawn from the $150,000 VicBred 3yo final on Saturday at Melton.
Sherlock was a late scratching from the race when an abcess burst just a short time prior to the event.
“Just terrible timing” Nathan said as favourite Patracca won easily as $1.12 favourite from the ace gate, a win that might not have been so easy had the Kiwi being pushing buttons early.
Further disappointment on the night was the defeat of We Can Have it All in the 2yo trotting fillies final run in the early morning hours local time going down to the unbeaten Violet Stanford. However in this case it meant conceding to a better filly on the night.
We Can Have It All used her speed to lead and got away with some handy splits midrace with her keen rival back in the midfield.However Violet Stanford launched a violent attack on the lead in the back straight and went clear.
We Can Have It All might have offered more over the final stages but she again ran greenly, hanging out early and hanging in over the final stages, though a clear 2nd.
Nathan was headed home Sunday with no immediate racing for the young team and just a hope luck runs more his way back on home soil