Bill Thurlow is looking forward to kicking off the campaigns of several exciting horses on Saturday at Wanganui, including Group One winner No Compromise (NZ) (Pins) in the Gr.3 Hunterville Vet Club Metric Mile (1600m).
“It’s really nice to have three or four good horses around us, it’s what you look forward to and every trainer’s ideal to have a nice horse heading into the spring,” Thurlow said.
“We’re very lucky to have a couple of nice ones, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Now an eight-year-old, No Compromise has spent time on both sides of the Tasman with plenty of success, highlighted by his triumph in the Gr.1 Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) in 2022 while in the care of Chris Waller.
In the mid-stages of last year, he returned to his homeland and placed in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2050m), before two unplaced efforts at Group One level completed his season.
“He’s coming along well, he’s had a jump-out and a trial and I’m really happy with him,” Thurlow said.
“He’ll need the run obviously, but this isn’t his end goal. I’d say he’ll probably get back a little bit, he’s only got a reasonably short sprint on him so if he can be held up until late, hopefully he can find the line strongly, that’s the aim for Saturday.”
Thurlow has also nominated the son of Pins for the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2050m) on October 12.
The Waverley horseman was thrilled with the progress of his talented mare No Rain Ever during her three-year-old term, placing in the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1200m) before travelling to Riccarton and winning the Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m).
No Rain Ever was sighted finishing on strongly at the Foxton trials on August 22, setting her up for the H&T Agronomics/Agricom OPN 1200.
“She’s got a lot of ability, we think that maybe this time around she may be more of a sprinter, but obviously it’s well-known that they can get away with going over ground against their own age group,” Thurlow said.
“We think she’s possibly more of a 1400-1600m horse, but as we go into the season, she will tell us where she needs to be.
“It’s not a bad wee field that she’s in, so as long as she’s running on well at the end, I’ll be happy.
“She’s been effective over 1200m before fresh, but once again, there are a couple of really nice races for her later on the season so this is good starting point.
“Physically, mentally and fitness-wise, she’s reasonably forward.”
Already making his presence felt this term has been Battle Secret, the seven-year-old going back-to-back in Rating 75 contests through August.
“He’s been going super, he’s another horse that can come back from injury and is in a really purple patch of form,” Thurlow said.
“We couldn’t ask any more of him and he’s done well since he raced, he doesn’t mind a bit of water around so we’re really happy.
“He’s got a bit of weight to carry and it’s a step-up from what he’s been racing against, but we can’t fault him.”
To be ridden by Johnathan Parkes, Battle Secret will contest the Nufarm/Property Brokers 2040, while Kelly Myers will take the ride aboard progressive galloper Frank The Tank in the CR Grace LTD/Waterforce 1340m earlier on the card.
An imposing son of Burgundy, Frank The Tank won three races in his opening season on the track as a four-year-old.
“He had a really good season last year, it probably tapered off a little bit in his last couple of runs and we weren’t sure why,” Thurlow said.
“But he’s had a nice break, come back, and had a nice jump-out and trial to prepare. He’s really pleased us with the way he’s performed in both.
“He’s drawn wide, but he’s got a very good rider in Kelly, so he’ll probably get back and we expect him to be running on too. I think he can go a good race though.
“He’s a horse that’s had a couple of wind issues, so whether he can get over ground I’m not sure. A mile will be his friend when he pushes on a bit, but we’re not sure whether he’ll get a 2000m, we could give that a try this time around.”
Completing Thurlow’s contingent will be Crunchie Boy in the Manawatu Toyota/John Turkington Forestry 1200, and Wire Rope on debut in the Treadwell Gordon/Marsh Insurance Brokers MDN 3YO 1200.
“Wire Rope trialled again today (Wednesday) because he was a bit naughty in his first start at Woodville, he was a bit like a little schoolboy,” Thurlow said.
“We were really happy with him today, he was settled and he is a sensible horse. I’m not sure what happened to him in the first start, but that can happen with young horses and that’s just one of those things.
“I’m looking forward to him running, he’s quite a progressive horse.
“Crunchie Boy is a head-scratcher, we thought he was going to be a very good horse and he’s just been one of those types that hasn’t quite done it.
“We’ve tried lots of different things with him, so you just have to see what version of him turns up on Saturday. I’ve stopped predicting what he may do at this point.”
