3 minute read

Local trainer Wayne Lawson admits to experimenting with Nautile who is on a quick back up in Sunday’s $30,000 Maclean Bowling Club Maclean Cup (1406m) at Grafton, the last feature race of a successful five meeting July Racing Carnival.

Nautile raced on Wednesday finishing, according to Lawson an “unlucky” 2.8 lengths fourth to Legendary Luke in a 1400m Benchmark 65 handicap.

“Backing up so quickly was always part of the mix,” Lawson suggested. “I’ve never done it with him before but he’s pulled up really good. You wouldn’t know he’s raced.

“He’s up in grade certainly but we decided to throw him in and see what happens.

“He gets plenty of weight relief with Samantha Polo on board and will only carry 51 kilos and he’s drawn a good barrier (two) where he should get a lovely run.

“And the form around him with Hula Girl has worked out pretty good.”

Nautile beat Hula Girl two starts back winning a 1425m, Benchmark 65 event at Grafton on June 13. Hula Girl ran a slashing second to Shazza’s Bubbles in the Mother’s Gift at Grafton on Thursday.

Nautile has been a good buy for the mainly Grafton syndicate that race the four-year-old by Starcraft, got from besieged Sydney trainer, Sam Kavanagh.

Manager of the syndicate, Clarence River Jockey Club director Terry Green, will be looking for another feature race win after the horse he part-owns Single Chance won the John Carlton Cup.

“He’s been a nice little horse for the boys,” Lawson said. “We’ve won three races with him and had a few placing’s.

“He’s a good little doer and a real trier. The good barrier should make a difference. He’s a horse that has been unlucky in a number of his races.

“With the light weight he should be a genuine chance. Whether he’s up to this class or not I don’t really know but we’ve thrown him in there and we’ll see how he goes.

“He’ll present a fit and well racehorse.”

Nautile is rated a $13 chance behind $5 equal favourites Perfect Punch and Aimalac Burra, trained locally by Paddy Cunningham.