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He bucks like a bronco, earned the reputation as a rogue but when it comes to galloping on dirt surfaces, South Australian-trained Nozi is a sheer marvel.
At Broken Hill on Saturday, the Paula Trenwith prepared seven-year-old gelding will attempt to create history by winning a third straight Outback Cup after success in 2007 and 2008.
As a young horse, Nozi crashed through running rails and once bucked his track rider off 14 times in a two week period. Nozi still has a penchant for bucking, albeit tempered.
“I think that's why I got him off Richard Jolly as a four-year-old , he can be a bugger, ” 38-year-old Morphettville based Trenwith said. “Despite his trait for bucking, we just love him.
“He's not mean, doesn't kick or bite, he's just one of those horses that's difficult to ride.”
The $40,000 Clubs NSW & Keno Outback Cup (1600m) and $20,000 XXXX Gold Outback Sprint (1100m) highlight the annual eight-race TAB program that attracts starters and visitors from around NSW and South Australia.
Fascinating Rhythm (1979, '80) and Wild Vision (1992, '93), owned by Broken Hill local John Casey, are the only horses to win back to back cups, however, Marist Boy won in 1966 and 1968.
Nozi has a huge following in Broken Hill and Darwin.
Eight weeks after being sold to Trenwith, Kevin Grant from Adelaide and Chris Hoskin and Rosie Day from Darwin, Trenwith snared the 2006 Darwin Cup with the gelding.
Nozi subsequently finished second the following year and third in 2008 carrying big weights on a dirt surface.
“His third last year was probably his worst run on dirt,” Trenwith said. “He's had about seven wins on dirt.
“I don't know what it is but Nozi loves it (dirt).
“He just coasts along with a high cruising speed and is very confident on the surface unlike other horses.”
Nozi will carry 60kg with Paul Denton in the saddle.
“The horse is good, spot on,” Trenwith added. “Since Darwin last year, the goal has been the Outback Cup. It's our group one.
“The topweight Satara will be hard to beat and we've got to give Trevor Day's horse Dandy Jester three kilos more than last year.
“But Nozi loves a challenge. Winning three Outback cups would be unbelievable. It would mean the world to us.”
