Group Three performer Hurry Cane (NZ) (Nom Du Jeu) will get his chance to test his talents in Australia after joining Symon Wilde’s Warrnambool barn.
Formerly in the care of part-owner Raymond Connors, the Nom Du Jeu gelding won five and placed in 13 of his starts on the flat, including placing in the 2020 Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m).
He had two starts over hurdles last winter, winning at Trentham at his second outing, and Connors has decided to test the waters in Australia with the gelding.
“He’s heading over there for jumps racing and has joined Symon Wilde,” Connors said.
“The Warrnambool Carnival would be great to target if Symon thinks he is good enough. He has only just got there so we will see what he says.”
While Hurry Cane has shown talent over hurdles, Connors believes his future lies over the bigger fences.
“We will leave that to Symon, but I’d say the bigger fences would be more suitable for him,” he said.
This is Connors’ first foray into racing in Australia and he is looking forward to what the future holds for Hurry Cane.
“We will see if he is up to it, we will learn a lot more after this. It’s hard to know, I haven’t sent one over before so we will see what happens,” he said.
Hurry Cane had three runs in New Zealand in preparation for his Australian venture, placing in the Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m) in January before trailing in the field home in both the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) and Gr.2 Avondale Cup (2400m).
“The last one was just a bit beyond him, especially on a good track,” Connors said.
“He likes wetter ground really, which he needs to be competitive in those sorts of races. Jumping is where it lies with him now.”
