Nerodio seeks a change of fortune
As far as trainer Stephanie Bakranich is concerned, her stable pin-up Nerodio has been bereft of any.
She firmly believes if one horse deserves a change of fortune this preparation it’s Nerodio.
Bakranich says back luck in two return runs have conspired against the eight-year-old.
Nerodio ran third to Ghost Who Walks in the Beaufine Stakes (1000m) and could have finished closer or better after being hindered for a run until the final 200m.
He followed up with a strong-finishing fourth in the Bolton Sprint (1200m) after being surprisingly shuffled back towards the back half of the 13-horse field.
Nerodio is aiming for his second consecutive success in the Belmont Newmarket after scoring a 1 ¾ length victory over Great Again 12-months ago.
Despite the losses, Bakranich says she can’t fault Nerodio and that he is thriving and going as well as he can.
She said Nerodio deserved to breakthrough in the Belmont Newmarket.
“I still can fault him, he’s still very sound, nice and bright, working really well,” Bakranich told The Races WA.
“I’ve just had a lot of back luck-twice and it’s been very disappointing, but it’s no fault of the horse that he’s been beaten.
“The plan was definitely not to get way back last start, he should not have ended up where he was, circumstances got him there.
“He could easily have won two races and be two from two, not taking away from horse that did win those races.
“As far as the horse is going, I can’t fault him, he’s fit and well and definitely not training off or anything.
“He’s in just as good as order as he was for those other two races and hopefully we get the luck to have a good go at them.”
Nerodio shoulders top weight (60.5kg) in the Belmont Newmarket and jumps from barrier six. Laqdar Ramoly retains the ride.
He’s been easy with Tabtouch, sitting at $6 after opening $4.60.
Meanwhile Playing Marika is being set for the Ascot Pinnacles carnival after a breakout campaign.
The eight-year-old won the Listed Grandstand Cup (1500m) and $100,000 Diggers Cup (1800m) in March and April.
“She’s been back in work for a couple of weeks to get ready for the carnival,” Bakranich said.
“That was her best prep she just had and I’m hoping to have a good preparation with her.”
More Racing News
The Map lands a Melbourne Cup berth
Six months of planning has paid off with The Map earning a ‘Golden Ticket’ into the Melbourne Cup. The Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday grants the winner a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November. Trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy Macgillivray planned their assault on Saturday’s...
Draw favours Who Dares in The Straight Six
Who Dares has finally lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him winning a Stakes race at Flemington. The Listed Straight Six (1200m) on Saturday fell the way of the heavily supported gelding, prepared at Mornington by Pat Carey and Harris Walker. Sent out the $3.30 favourite under Patrick Moloney, Who Dares scored...
Lloyd keeps his cool as Cindy collects Dark Jewel Classic
A composed ride from Zac Lloyd has helped Fall For Cindy post an invaluable Group Three win, the star apprentice keeping his cool despite having to throw the script out the window shortly after the start. Lloyd had hoped to settle the John O’Shea-trained mare in the first half of the field and...
Opal Ridge signals Queensland carnival intentions in Ortensia Stakes
A relieved Luke Pepper will press on to the Queensland winter carnival with renewed confidence after an underdone Opal Ridge maintained her perfect home track record with a classy victory in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone. Pepper admitted to some pre-race anxiety given Opal Ridge hadn’t raced since November, but he banked on...
Bella Nipotina beats I Wish I Win in the Doomben 10,000
Ciaron Maher has been left to marvel at the tenacity of bonny mare Bella Nipotina, who has overcome a busy travel schedule to upset I Wish I Win in the $1.5 million Doomben 10,000. Kicking off her preparation in Melbourne, Bella Nipotina was narrowly edged out by Chain Of Lightning in the T J...
Joyful Fortune returns for The Straight Six contest
Former Hong Kong galloper Joyful Fortune is set to renew acquaintances with the Flemington straight in his first run for the Ciaron Maher stable. Joyful Fortune was unbeaten in two starts on the Flemington straight when prepared by Sydney conditioner Mark Newnham. With Newnham now based in Hong Kong, Joyful Fortune will have his...
Shall Samuel and Twain meet in the Melbourne Cup?
To breed one Melbourne Cup runner is an achievement, but to have two in the same race from the one family is something not many can boast. But that’s the dream Gail Temperton and Stan Alexander are hoping to realise this year and Samuel Langhorne can take a giant step towards making...
Bool battler chasing a Melbourne Cup dream
The self-proclaimed little bogan from the Bool with the bargain battler $5000 horse is chasing the dream of a Melbourne Cup start at Flemington. Patrick Ryan Jnr and his stayer Ferago head to the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) in search of a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington...
‘Cheeky’ Attractable ready to roll in the Scone Cup
Attractable has been keeping trainer Sara Ryan on her toes in the lead-up to the Scone Cup and when he is causing mischief on the training track, it usually equates to a bold race day performance. “He’s very much a confidence horse. He thrives off being confident and happy and you know when...
Local mare to launch carnival mission in Ortensia Stakes
Luke Pepper believes the best is still ahead for dual stakes winner Opal Ridge, who will be chasing her second feature race win at Scone in as many years when she resumes in the Ortensia Stakes. The talented mare was triumphant in the Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) on the corresponding program 12...