Longshot winner to tackle the Moonee Valley again

Trainer Shawn Mathrick admits to being bemused by the starting price of last-start Moonee Valley winner Our Nkwazi and expects punters to be more alert this time.

The rising nine-year-old was a $51 chance and completed a day of long-priced winners when successful on June 6.

It is doubtful there will be any such odds on Saturday when the gelding lines up in the seventh heat of All Victorian Sprint Series over 1200m at the same track.

“When a horse beats Lord Of The Sky on the same wet surface, someone hasn’t done their form,” Mathrick said.

“He was a jumper’s price, it was ridiculous.”

Our Nkwazi is a dual Moonee Valley winner and importantly relishes wet tracks, the same conditions he had when he defeated Solsay and African Pulse last August when Group One performer Lord Of The Sky finished out of the money.

Mathrick said the son of Arazi had progressed nicely since his latest victory and would be at his peak for his third-up outing.

“It’s only his third prep for me and he’s handling the way we work them,” Mathrick said.

“He’s thriving at the moment and is probably the best he’s ever been for us.”

Cranbourne-based Danny Adam will again have the ride.

Their victory a fortnight ago broke a drought of three years between city successes for Adam who is already wasting to take the ride at 55.5kg.

“He’ll be eating lettuce for the next week,” Mathrick said.

Adam has the ride because of his affinity with the horse and his commitment to riding the gelding in his trackwork.

“He’s been riding work because he’s a quirky horse in that he’s a bit funny with people,” Mathrick said.

“He either likes you or he doesn’t but he gets on well with Danny and he rode him super last start.”

Our Nkwazi is one of 37 nominations for the race which includes Adelaide visitors Daytona Grey, Nearest To Pin and Heart Of A Lion.

Article from justhorseracing.com.au

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