You muddy beauty as Nakanai scores
GOLD Coast trainer Mel Eggleston says mudlark Nakanai knows when a win is on the cards and he fought hard to get the 13th of his career at Aquis Park.
The nine-year-old gelding, who has a cult following on the Gold Coast and has posed in photos with royals, won the BenchMark 62 (1100m) on Saturday with apprentice Clayton Gallagher on board.
It was the 113th run of Nakanai’s career and despite the victory coming 17 runs since his previous success, Eggleston said the gelding always found a way to pop up in the winner’s circle.
“That’s just what he does,” Eggleston said.
“Those old fellas that have been around are not mugs. They know when the day is right and the cards will fall their way.
“When (Nakanai) is on song he can smell a victory and he fought like a caged lion (on Saturday). He laid his ears back and got to the line.
“He ran from last to third in a pretty good field last start and everything went his way this time. There were a few scratchings and he loves the wet.”
The durable horse has been in work for four years and Eggleston said he had no plans to retire him soon.
“Where would you rather be, out in the middle of a paddock retired and freezing with a heap of other old horses or standing in a nice warm stable with double rugs on, a hay bale and food?” he said. “It shows how smart he is. He is no world-beater but we’re happy to have him around the stable.”
Eggleston also won Class 1 Handicap (1200m) with Floreana, the first win of the three-year-old’s second preparation.
“She will probably shift up in distance now,” Eggleston said after hoop Shannon Doyle rode Floreana to a two-length victory over Streets Better.
“I’d like to see her go a bit further like 1300m.”
Eggleston praised the recent performances of Doyle, who he said was underrated.
“I think Shannon is going to make the grade,” he said.
“I really think he is a good rider and better than what people think.
“I like to support people who are up-and-coming and having a crack, and he is that type of guy.”