Nymph Monte on song for Livamol
Nymph Monte has gone from being a boy to a man and he’s ready to prove it on the big stage at Hastings on Saturday.
The Tavistock six-year-old will take on Group I winners Gingernuts, Volkstok’n’barrell, Close Up and Sofia Rosa in the Group I Livamol Classic in his third weight-for-age start over ground.
His first two weight-for age 2000m races were in the Group I Herbie Dyke Stakes - and he was unplaced where he finished unplaced in both races.
But his Wairarapa trainer and part-owner Grant Nicholson believes he’s a different horse this time around.
‘‘He’s a lot stronger and mentally he’s improved so much,’’ Nicholson said. ‘‘Last year he used to reef and pull and drop the bit.
‘‘Even in his day-to-day manner this time in he’s better. He’s not being a big kid. He’s relaxed and just getting on with it all.’’
Despite his immaturity, Nymph Monte managed to fashion a good record by the end of his last campaign, taking his record to eight wins and seven placings from 34 starts.
His performances included back-to-back wins in last year’s Christchurch Casino Spring Classic (2000m) and Gold Club Metropolitan Trophy (2500m), both Listed races at Riccarton, before over-racing yet still finishing fifth in the New Zealand Cup (3200m). He later picked up a fifth in the Avondale Gold Cup (2200m).
Nicholson, who trains at Opaki near Masterton, has given Nymph Monte three starts this campaign and there has been improvement with each outing.
He was fourth fresh-up over
1400m behind Dolcetto at Tauherenikau in August then filled the same placing behind Wait A Sec over 1600m on the first day of the Hawke’s Bay Carnival.
Stepping up to a more suitable
2000m on the second day at Hastings, Nymph Monte sealed his tilt at the Livamol Classic when easily beating Group I performer Authentic Paddy and Wait A Sec in the open handicap.
His efforts have also pleased rider Rosie Myers, who has been his regular jockey this season and will again be in the saddle on Saturday.
‘‘I’m happy, his preparation has gone well,’’ Nicholson said. ‘‘He worked well (on Tuesday) and he’s ready for Saturday.
‘‘We’ve been focused on getting him to this one and he’s ready to go a big race. He’ll be strong on the line, but it’s going to be tough. There are some very good horses in it.’’
While Gingernuts is all the rage after his win in the Group I Windsor Park Plate, Nicholson also has the utmost respect for Volkstok’n’barrell.
‘‘Volkstok’n’barrell is the forgotten horse,’’ he said. ‘‘He’s a multiple Group I winner and he went a top race on the second day of the Hawke’s Bay carnival.’’
❚ Two of the exciting three-yearolds in Andrew Campbell’s stable have been sold to Hong Kong, leaving his focus on Athletica in the Group II Hawke’s Bay Guineas at Hastings on Saturday.
Campbell has confirmed the sale of Waldorf, his other candidate for the Hastings feature, along with stablemate Getty, a winner of two of his three starts.
‘‘The sales for both Waldorf and Getty have been completed,’’ Campbell said. ‘‘I pulled Waldorf out of the Hawke’s Bay Guineas this morning (Wednesday).
‘‘It’s a shame to see them go as they’re both smart young horses but the money was too good to turn down. They’ll do well in Hong Kong, they’re the right type of horses for up there.’’
Former Campbell-trained horses have excelled in Hong Kong, particularly Werther, whose wins for the Opaki trainer included the ARC Championship Stakes and Eagle Farm Cup.
Werther gone on to win three Group I races in Hong Kong (Queen Elizabeth II Cup, Champions and Chater Cup and the Hong Kong Gold Cup) and be named the Hong Kong Horse Of The Year.