Nolan enjoys great start to new season
Few people are happier to see a new Clifford Park racing year dawn than trainer Michael Nolan after he celebrated its arrival with a win on Saturday.
Nolan was first on to the 2017-18 season scoreboard when lightly raced four-year-old Jimibramz ($14) claimed the 3rd Time Lucky Leon Wise Class 1 Handicap (1300m).
After enjoying a midfiled run behind the early pace of $4 favourite Mustarrid, Jimibramz finished full of running for 1.5kg apprentice Rebecca Goldsury to down Wainui Gold ($8.50) by 13⁄4 lengths.
Manhattan Muse ($13) worked home solidly to be
length back third.
Despite being sent out at double-figure odds, Nolan could find reason for Jimibramz to notch a second career win and in doing so help put the stable back on winning track.
“He produced a similar effort to that when he won his maiden here earlier this year and I was expecting an improved run from here tonight,” Nolan said.
“He ran into that smart horse of Kempy’s (Mr Marbellouz) here first-up and although they were beaten by a big space, Jimibramz finished up with the placegetters. Then he went to Gatton and nothing went right for him.
“But he was fitter tonight and with Rebecca’s claim I was confident we’d see a much better run from him.
“He’s raced by the same owners who have Jumbo Prince and it’s good to see him pick up his second win for them.”
Nolan finished third in last season’s Clifford Park premiership behind tearaway winner Ben Currie but is hoping Jimibramz’s break-through victory can mark a turnaround in his 2017 fortunes.
“It’s a welcome relief to get back on the board,” Nolan said. “We had a terrible end to the season with hardly a winner here in the last two months.
“Everything that could go wrong seemed to go wrong for us. “But it’s always good to start a new racing year on the right foot and winning the first race of the season is the best way you can do it.”
TAB DIVIDENDS