New stable edition looking to win again at Canterbury

He’s only had one run for new trainer Kody Nestor but Cardiff could take him all the way to this year’s $1.3 million Kosciuszko.

Formally trained by Gerald Ryan, the Snitzel four-year-old won last start for Nestor and will chase back-to-back wins in race six at Canterbury Park. And another win Friday night will give the Dubbo trainer more confidence about a big spring carnival.

“I think the Kosciusko would be right up his alley,” Nestor said.

“He works like a Group horse and is very sharp on the track. We’re managing his work where he’s not out there every morning to break the clock.”

Cardiff has impressed trainer Kody Nestor since joining his stable. Picture: AAPSource:AAP

Cardiff won as a $8.50 chance here a month ago after a 36-week spell which was a positive sign and a little surprising.

“I’d like to think that after nine months off he’ll improve off that first-up run. He has fitness-wise,” Nestor said. “I was worried about the heavy track after such a long layoff. He’s a horse whose best form was over 1100m on good tracks so to do it on a heavy track first-up after so long off it surprised me a little bit.

“The track suits him and he’s shown that he’s more than up to this grade.

“He’s bred to swim and his work has sharpened up a little bit.”

Cardiff is set to start the second favourite on Friday night behind the well-backed Najmah who is first-up after two wins in a short first preparation for Team Hawkes.

The favourite has drawn barrier one while Cardiff and James Innes Jr will have to get the job done from gate nine which doesn’t worry ­Nestor. Cardiff has run less than a length second to Diamond ­Thunder in a Listed race and has form around Dirty Work who was unlucky not to win the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate in Melbourne last weekend so he’s got the better form.

“The Hawkes horse look pretty smart so we’ll get a good guide of where we’re at with him,” Nestor said. “It’s a different sort of race than the one he went around in the other week.

“There’s more pressure early. Cardiff’s a quick horse and I think he’s better off roiling along so it will be interesting to see how it all ends up with Partners in the race who could jam up and lead.”

Nestor also races Jailbreak this evening in the fourth race over 1250m and he’s first-up since running fifth behind Salsonic on the Kensington track in September. And even though Nestor is expecting a big run, he’s going to be peaking next up when he runs in a $150,000 second-up.

“This is a good race for him before he goes to the Country Championships Qualifier,” Nestor said. “He always goes better second-up but, in saying that, I’ve got him pretty well wound up for the 1250m. I do except a couple of lengths of improvement out of this run. He trialled well both times and he’s matured up a little but this time in.”

James Innes Jnr retains the ride on Cardiff at Canterbury Park. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

ALBURY

Doug Gorrel wasn’t thinking of running Onthetake at Albury on Friday but she’s forced him to.

The Krupt five-year-old has run two fourths this time in and not been far off the winner on each occasion. She was 1 ¾ lengths behind Ruthless Agent in a TAB Federal (Benchmark 86) last start and comes back in grade to a Benchmark 66 Handicap (1175m).

Gorrel is confident she can win third-up if she handles two things after running seven days earlier.

“She’ll go very close as long as the handles the trip down and can back up,” he said.

“I normally like to space her runs a bit but she’s pulled up a treat from her run the other day and is eating up well. We’ve only trotted and cantered her and she seems very happy.”

Onthetake, who beat Concrete last time in, has run well this ­preparation but has only been sent out at $17 and $18 on both ­occasions.

Gorrel knows why and said punters who are keen to back her should probably not look at her in the mounting yard minutes before the sixth race.

“She does herself no favours in the parade ring. She’s highly strung in the ring but fine around the ­stables,” Gorrel said.

“She can work herself up on race day but we’ve worked it out now and she seems best with the pony and it doesn’t surprise me that punters go off her late in the betting. Once she’s out on the track she’s all business.”

Gorrel also runs Same Old Scene today, in a Benchmark 58 Handicap (2000m) and while not as confident about her chances, she’ll stay the trip.

Mathew Cahill has been on her for some time now and stick with the mare.

“She might be a TAB 2 horse but it’s too tempting not to go for the bigger prizemoney races,” Gorrel said. One thing she is, is a trier. “She’ll certainly try all the way. I’m just worried if she’s up to that grade but we’ll give her a go.”

Originally published asCanterbury preview: Nestor chuffed with new arrival

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