Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images)
Sticking with the ship, jockey Rory Hutchings delivered a second-up victory on Now Not Never (3 g Shocking – Edmonton, by Pentire) in the $40,000 J Swap Golden Ticket Special Conditions Maiden 1400 metres on 28 December at Taupo.
Showing Ballymore Racing trainer Pam Gerard that he was ready to race following two good trial performances, including one at Taupo, Now Not Never was given a soft trip by Hutchings on debut three weeks ago at Te Aroha, running home in the fastest last 600m (33.7) for fifth, and warranted the strong support he received for his second appearance.
Ridden with a touch more urgency from the gates, Now Not Never sat second in the open, travelled as well as any approaching the home turn, and stayed strong to arrest the lead mid-straight and hold two late challengers at bay.
“It would have been nice to get a bit of cover, but he travelled well throughout, jogged down the hill, and I just asked him to sprint up the straight,” Hutchings said.
“I thought he probably would have put them away a little bit better, but he’s still working out his trade, and he’s only going to improve. He gives me the feel of a nice horse.
“I rode him on debut and I was quite keen to stick with him, that’s why I’m here for one ride today.”
Hutchings, a three-time Champion Apprentice in New Zealand, and Champion Apprentice in Sydney, has ridden over 360 winners in New Zealand, and around Sydney, to achieve over 720 in total, including 20 Group & Listed victories.
On Soft5 footing, Now Not Never ran 1400 metres in 1:25.3, last 600m in 35.4 (approx.), and paid $5.00 & $1.80 on the NZ TAB tote.
“It probably wasn’t where I wanted to see the horse positioned, but Rory (Hutchings) certainly got the job done,” said Gerard, who trained Clear Conscience (Alabama Express) to win a day earlier at Rotorua.
“It was a hard watch all the way up the straight, but he’s a really nice staying type of horse. Obviously the 1400 was a bit short for him, today, but he’s only going to go ahead.
“He’s a three-year-old, there’s some nice races coming up and hopefully we can get him through to a Derby.”
Purchased by Ballymore Stables / Paul Moroney Bloodstock / Catheryne Bruggeman for $85,000 at the Karaka 2024 Book 2 Sale, from the draft of Rich Hill Stud, Now Not Never is owned by Ballymore Racing NZ Ltd, Marko Bogoievski, Grant Devonport, Craig Lindberg, Craig McKay, Simon Moutter, Simon O’Connor, Jason Paris, William Parkinson & Andrew South.
Now Not Never is by Shocking (Street Cry), who stands at Rich Hill Stud, winner of the Australian Cup and Melbourne Cup at Group One level, and a proven sire of Group One winners, including El Vencedor (four) and I’m Thunderstruck (two). He is also the sire of Ballymore-trained Group Two winner Nerve Not Verve.
His dam, Edmonton, is a sister to Australian Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Ferlax (Pentire), who stood for three seasons at Haunui Farm before sustaining a fatal paddock accident.
A good bodied individual, Now Not Never rose to victory following two nice trials and an encouraging debut performance, and appears the type to prove competitive in better age group races.
In the words of Trackside presenter Brendan Popperwell: “What a time to be alive”.
Now Not Never was strapped by Allanah Reid.