Stakes targets are beckoning exciting gelding Nereus following his win over a mile at Trentham on Saturday.
He was freshened following his runner-up effort in the inaugural $350,000 Remutaka Classic (2100m) at the Upper Hutt track in January, and trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray were confident of a good showing on Saturday, and their charge duly delivered with a half-head victory over Nancy She Wrote.
“He's a pretty serious horse this guy and he's got the pedigree, the temperament and just does enough to win,” Ritchie said.
Bred and raced by Waikato Stud, Nereus, who is by their champion stallion Savabeel, has now extended his great run of form to four wins and three placings from seven starts, and earned nearly $160,000 in prizemoney.
His trainers are now eyeing the Listed Hawke's Bay Cup (2200m) at Hastings next month, believing their charge deserves his chance at stakes level.
“He'll get in the Hawke's Bay Cup with a light weight, that's in four weeks' time so he'll go straight into it,” Ritchie said.
Jockey Michael McNab was full of praise for Nereus following the win.
“He's a lovely horse and has got a very good amount of ability,” he said.
“I had a lot of confidence in him, he switched off and when I brought him to the outside he was really good.”