On the same weekend that the talented mare Sheza Alibi will be tested beyond a mile for the first time, her younger half-brother, Nomadic, is also set to face a similar distance challenge.
The colt Nomadic is poised to make his presence felt in the Sydney spring carnival at Rosehill, with a potential Group One start on the horizon.
Nomadic is listed among the acceptances for the Gloaming Stakes (1800m) scheduled for Saturday. A strong performance in this event would virtually guarantee him a place in the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick two weeks later.
His lead-up to the Gloaming Stakes includes a maiden win at Kembla Grange, where the three-year-old competed against more experienced horses. He settled in a forward position before showing determination to defeat Van Hoven, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
“He had to dig deep to fight off Gai’s horse, but I think he went better ridden more positively and put up on speed,” stated John Thompson.
“They beat the rest of them a fair way.
“We’ll try him over a bit further and see how he handles it.”
Thompson is keen for Nomadic to take up a prominent position in the Gloaming Stakes, which has attracted a field of 12 runners. This includes the Ming Dynasty Quality winner Persian Wonder and the Dulcify Stakes quinella horses, Wonka and Genesis Runner.
While this race represents a step up in class for Nomadic, he did finish third behind Southend and Persian Wonder in the Group 3 Baillieu (1400m) during the autumn. He also wasn’t disgraced when finishing fifth to Fireball in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m).
Much like Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman are testing the middle-distance credentials of Sheza Alibi in Saturday’s Might And Power Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield, Thompson is unsure how Nomadic will cope with the increased journey on Saturday. However, his three starts this campaign suggest he is a stayer.
“He looks like it. Whether he is or not, I don’t know,” Thompson said.
“But he’s in great order. He came through that run like he hadn’t had a run, so fingers crossed.
“He’s a valuable colt if he comes good.”
Sheza Alibi and Nomadic share the same dam, Sheza Gypsy, a mare by Shaft who won six races, all in country New South Wales.
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