Michael McNab earned a great deal of praise after Force Of Nature (NZ) (Savabeel) won Sunday’s Inspire Racing Sprint (1200m), but the top jockey was quick to credit his mount who made a big impression when resuming in the Te Rapa contest.
A lightly-raced four-year-old, Force Of Nature was appearing for the first time since late November, where he finished third in a competitive Stella Artois Championship Qualifier behind Frostfair. It was the lowest placing he had recorded all preparation, after winning two in a row through maiden and Rating 65 company.
Cambridge trainer Andrew Forsman then opted to bypass the firm summer tracks with his gelding and return in the autumn with no trial to prepare, making the performance all the more eye-catching.
Starting a well-backed prospect at $6, Force Of Nature was one of the slower runners to find their stride from the barrier, settling in the back half of the field under McNab. Mirabella and race-favourite Perfect Dividends had the field strung out through the mid-stages under a hot tempo, and on straightening, the field fanned across the track.
One horse that covered no extra ground was Force Of Nature, with McNab hugging the rail and finding a tight gap between the two leaders to storm into contention. Perfect Dividends didn’t give away the fight all the way to the post, but Force Of Nature showed a sharp turn-of-foot to his inside and won comfortably, albeit only by a short neck.
Force Of Nature was the second of a winning treble for McNab on the card, after collecting a double at Trentham on Saturday.
“He’s a sharp horse, he’s got a good record and I think he’ll keep adding to that, because he’s a horse with a lot of ability,” McNab said.
“They ran along at a good speed, so back where I was, I couldn’t really get to the outside or it was going to make it hard. I got the runs when I needed them, but he was good when he got the splits.
“He’d shown that good ability when I trialled him earlier on and he showed that last prep, so hopefully he can do a bit better again this prep.”
Forsman’s stable representative Joe Walker echoed McNab’s sentiments, indicating the gelding is held in high regard by the team.
“He didn’t get away that cleanly, but they went along nice and quick and it was a good ride from Michael,” Walker said. “He’s certainly got the ability to (go through the grades), last time he strung a few (wins) together and even before he went out, he was racing well. He’s had a decent break and I think there’s more to come.”
A son of Savabeel, Force Of Nature was bred and raced by Milan Park Stud principal Tony Rider. He is out of an unraced O’Reilly mare Elusive Nature, who is a half-sister to Savvy Dreams and three-quarter sister to Pussy O’Reilly, both placegetters at Group One level.
In the broodmare paddock, Elusive Nature has produced Listed winner and Group Three performer Shezzacatch and four-race winner Astraeus, both also by Waikato Stud’s champion sire. In just seven starts, Force Of Nature has won three races and over $72,000 in prizemoney.