Nimble Nimbus has been one of this season's surprise packages and trainer Ricky Yiu is remaining optimistic the Sacred Falls gelding can step it up again when he contests the HK$28 million Group 1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, April 28.
The six-year-old has been a solid competitor with six wins across his 29-start career. He didn't tackle his first Group race until his 24th outing, however, since then he has evolved into a Group 3 winner and Group 1 placegetter across five appearances.
“He's a magnificent horse. You can never see that he's had a setback or that he is tired. He's always very energetic and always seems as though he's ready to race,” Yiu said.
The New Zealand-bred elevated expectations with victory in the HK$4.2 million Group 3 Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m) in February before placing third behind Romantic Warrior in the HK$13 million Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m).
“That's the surprise (continued improvement). He's six now and it seems that the older he gets, the better he gets. You don't see too many horses do it this way,” Yiu said.
Nimble Nimbus is rated 108 at present after beginning this season on a mark of 86. He stepped out for a barrier trial last Thursday (April 18) at Sha Tin, finishing a comfortable ninth under Andrea Atzeni, who rides him again this weekend.
“He's stronger and tougher now that he's older. He's getting to a tough rating. He's been racing in hard races, so we gave him a soft trial – just to keep him happy,” Yiu said.
Showers and thunderstorms are forecast throughout the week, including on Sunday for FWD Champions Day.
“Rain will definitely help him. It was raining the time he won by a big margin (five lengths) at the Valley,” Yiu said.
Nimble Nimbus finished fourth in the HK$5.35 million Group 2 Chairman's Trophy (1600m) last start on April 7 at Sha Tin behind Beauty Joy. Yiu also saddles Voyage Bubble in the HK$22 million Group 1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m).