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After two game efforts this prep, Nova Vocal is widely expected to be in the firing line for his first 2019 success on Friday night.
James Peters’ talented Irish-bred four-year-old by Vocalised has put in two solid runs in 1000m speed scampers – a third place first-up in a Class 3 race on February 6 followed one month later by an eye-catching second to Wolf Warrior in a Kranji Stakes C race on March 3.
Senior jockey Michael Rodd was the rider at both starts, but as he is serving a two-day careless riding ban, Peters has roped in the in-form jockey of the moment, Noh Senari for the job in Friday’s $70,000 Penang Turf Club Trophy, a Kranji Stakes C race over 1000m.
Nova Vocal will have a few smart sorts in his way, such as Wolf Warrior again (but with a 2.5kgs pull in weights this time), the speedy The Big Easy jumping from a good gate (two) and the back-in-form Mokastar.
But on paper, he should be cherry-ripe for his season opener, a sentiment which Peters more or less, shares, but without being overly confident.
“He was stiff at his last start. It was a tough run,” said Peters.
“He was three wide without cover after drawing out wide and he still came to win his race, but was caught in the last 50m (by Wolf Warrior).
“It was a huge run and I’m very happy with the way he has come out of it. He is drawn better this time (five) and Noh takes the ride and claims one kilo.
“He’s a true Class 3 horse and has done a good job since he’s been with me, he rarely runs a bad race.
“He’s a Polytrack sprinter and I expect him to run well on Friday.”
Peters who recently prepared only Nova Vocal for the Nova Racing Stable, has since seen the outfit extend their support to Nova Strike (previously with Alwin Tan) and a newbie in the US-bred Nova Factor.
Incidentally, Nova Strike trialled nicely on Thursday, pleasing his young handler no end with his action throughout the hit-out. Peters has thus far saddled the Red Giant six-year-old to three starts, all with unplaced finshes, albeit with an encouraging sign at the last one when pulling off late ground to finish only just over three lengths off Debt Collector in a Class 1 race over 1400m on March 10.
The dual Group 3 winner looked all set to finish midfield in his barrier trial on Thursday, but even without Noh giving him a dig, he surged forth to grab third place, three lengths off stablemate Lucky Hada (Daniel Moor).
“Nova Strike is in good form. I’m very happy where he is at now,” said Peters.
“At his last start in a 1400m race, he was only beaten three lengths by Debt Collector. The trip was too short for him.
“He’s looking for 1600m and a race like the Chairman’s Trophy would suit him, but again, it will be tough at weight-for-age. He will again come up against those good horses, but it is what it is.”
The Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) was recently moved by five weeks from March 3 to April 7 in a bid to create a more adequate interval between the two lead-up races, the Chairman’s Trophy and the Group 3 Moonbeam Vase (1600m) on May 3, towards the Group 1 Kranji Mile (1600m) on May 25.
