Consistent performer Chase (NZ) (Zed) bounced back to winning form at his favourite track when he dominated his rating 74 rivals over 1600m at Trentham.
The Stephen Nickalls-trained gelding had been a little disappointing when finishing well back in the Listed Anzac Mile (1550m) at Awapuni at his last start but with the Trentham track coming up a Heavy 8 for Saturday’s meeting the five-year-old son of Zed was in his element.
Settled near last by rider Kate Hercock, Chase looped the field to challenge at the 400m and drew clear under his 60kg topweight to win by more than five lengths at the line.
The win was the just the third of his 23-start career, but with nine runner-up finishes it was a relieved Nickalls who greeted his charge in the Trentham birdcage.
“He has been called the bridesmaid and much worse a few times, but really, he is such a cool horse,” he said.
“He tries his heart out every time he goes out there, but unfortunately his style of racing can hamper him at times as he doesn’t have a lot of early speed.
“He goes on all tracks but the wet surfaces suit him a little better as he can get handier to them and that showed today as he ran away from them in the straight even carrying 60kgs.”
Nickalls doesn’t have a lot planned for Chase in the coming months but knows the horse will receive a hero’s welcome from his daughter Mya when he returns to his stable.
“He is my daughter Mya’s favourite horse,” Nickalls said.
“Every day when she gets home from school she goes out to his paddock, catches him and brings him into his box for the night.
“No-one else is allowed to do that as he is her horse.
“He is just so chilled out, to the point that when you take him down to the track to work him, he is just as happy mooching around watching the others go around without him.
“We hadn’t really thought about where to go next, but I’m sure we can find a nice open handicap for him somewhere along the way.
“It was also great to win today for my father-in-law Gary (Knight) who part owns him.
“He hasn’t been in the best of health lately but he came to the track today and he got a real thrill out of the win.”
Nickalls is also looking forward to the big jumps meeting at Trentham in July after his good jumper Coconut (NZ) (Nom Du Jeu) made his return to the racetrack at Otaki on Thursday.
Last season’s Manawatu Steeplechase (4200m) winner hasn’t been seen since being pulled up in the 2021 Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) at Riccarton with Nickalls keen to see him tackle the Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) on July 16.
“Coconut had a setback which meant we had to back off him a little,” he said.
“He had his first run back during the week and he went well given he is pretty slow on the flat these days.
“He is making good progress with his main target the Wellington Steeplechase in July.”
