Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos
Ciaron Maher’s stable believes Nadal (Xtravagant {NZ}) can return to Group 1-level and be competitive after his stunning 2.75l win in The Meteorite over 1200 metres at Cranbourne on Saturday.
The 4-year-old was near the tail of the field at the 200-metre mark, but then swiftly put away his opponents courtesy of a lightning turn of foot under a well-judged ride from Ethan Brown, who recorded a hat-trick of winners on the 10-race card.
That burst of speed allowed Nadal to ease up inside the final 100 metres and comfortably prevail in the $1 million sprint.
It was the type of classy finish that Maher stable head foreman Adrian Joyce believes will hold the gelding in good stead at the elite level, finishing over the top of capable gallopers Rey Magnerio (Magnus) and Baraqiel (Snitzel).
Joyce also believes Nadal – now with three wins from 10 starts and $652,865 in career prizemoney – can get further than 1200 metres.
“You would think after that run that he’d be a Group 1 contender now,” he told The Thoroughbred Report.
“He deserves his right to have a crack at one – 1200 seems to be his sweet spot, but he can get a bit further as well.
“You would think after that run that he’d be a Group 1 contender now... 1200 seems to be his sweet spot, but he can get a bit further as well.” - Adrian Joyce
“I’m sure Ciaron will find the right race for him.”
Maher and his previous training partner David Eustace thought Nadal was good enough for Group 1 level as a 3-year-old last spring, finishing 11th and sixth in the 2023 Golden Rose and Coolmore Stud S.
Connections then made the difficult decision to geld Nadal, but it turned out the right call.
Nadal flew home in The Meteorite at Cranbourne on Saturday | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“He was kind of heavyset as a colt, so to keep his longevity and to keep him sound, it was the right call to make,” Joyce said.
Not big in stature, but big in heart
The top-priced Xtravagant (NZ) yearling of his year, Nadal was a $250,000 purchase for Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from the Newhaven Park draft at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
He is the best of two winners from four to race for the stakes-winning Moshe mare Moshki.
Group 1 winner Xtravagant has produced five stakes winners and 96 victors in total from 160 runners, including G2 winner Lavish Girl.
With this pedigree, Joyce now believes Nadal has the mindset to make a better fist of Group 1 racing.
And that is despite not having the advantage of size on his side.
Nadal as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
“He’s one of those models like a sprinter. He’s not overly big, but he’s a muscly, compact kind of horse,” Joyce said.
“He’s (Nadal) one of those models like a sprinter. He’s not overly big, but he’s a muscly, compact kind of horse... His temperament is very, very good.” - Adrian Joyce
“His temperament is very, very good. He’s such a chilled out, relaxed character.
“That will always help him going forward.”
Maher stable: 'We knew Nadal loves the big occasions'
Joyce knew Nadal had the type of brilliant performance in him that he displayed in Saturday’s slot race for Southside Racing, the banner which Cranbourne and Pakenham Racing Clubs merged under.
And that was despite starting from barrier 10.
In his past two starts, the 4-year-old finished fourth in the Listed Always Welcome S. at Flemington on November 9, after saluting by 1.75l at Benchmark 78 Handicap level at Caulfield on October 16.
Nadal won by 1.75l at Caulfield on October 16 | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Just like his namesake and now-retired Spanish tennis legend, Nadal rose to the occasion in the inaugural running of the $1 million feature sprint, the richest race to be run at Cranbourne.
“We’re chuffed. He was absolutely electric (on Saturday). He has that in him,” Joyce said.
“We’re chuffed. He (Nadal) was absolutely electric (on Saturday). He has that in him.” - Adrian Joyce
“He’s done nothing wrong all prep. Even his last run at Flemington off the straight, he was a bit unlucky.
“He just didn’t get the right splits at the time, and he showed what he could do today.
“The draw was sticky, so we needed things to go right and get the right breaks.
“But Ethan gave him a superb ride. He went hard early, and it all worked out for him.”
