Breeders Stakes fever to hit the rugby club
31 Jan 2014The United Matamata Rugby Clubrooms could be humming in the lead-up to the Gr. 1 J. Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders’ Stakes next month if Nous can produce a winning performance at Te Rapa tomorrow.
Nous, a daughter of Pins, will contest the NZB Insurance Pearl Series 2YO and judging by her work on Tuesday morning she could be ready to provide her syndicate of owners with a win to put her in contention for our local feature.
The On A Friday Syndicate comprises mostly of regulars who get together each Friday evening to socialise over a few drinks at the rugby clubrooms. The group includes Nous’ breeder Garry Chittick, Dave O’Sullivan, Racing Matamata President John Moore and Kerry Simpson and a few of his Longlands Farm and Restaurant gang.
A suggestion to put together the syndicate to race a horse was made after a few “refreshers” and the dream was obviously to have a horse good enough to compete in some major races. Nous could be just the filly to realise that dream.
She has shown ability from the outset, being runner-up in her first trial at Cambridge when beating Eksuude and Tornado Alley, two youngsters who have gone on to good raceday form. Eksuude was just beaten by the highly regarded Thrill at Rotorua last Friday and Tornado Alley won on debut at Woodville on January 4.
Nous was also placed in her second trial, finishing third at Cambridge, and ran a creditable fifth on debut behind Divissima and Thrill at Paeroa on January 9. Eksuude also contested that race and finished a length and three-quarters further back in sixth spot.
We worked Nous with Irish Encore, a winner of three races, onTuesday morning and she impressed when covering the 1000 metres in 1:4.2 and the final 600 in 35.9. The times compared well with the best of the morning returned by Waikato Guineas candidate Chambord (1:4.2 and 35.5).
Craig Grylls, the hero of Trentham last Saturday with wins in the Gr. 1 Thorndon Mile and Wellington Cup, will no doubt be put on a pedestal again this weekend if he can produce a winning performance on Nous.
Such a win would certainly add further to the hype around town leading up to our biggest race and if Nous can give Wexford Stables another Breeders’ Stakes triumph that group at the rugby club could grow substantially.