Wow - Nucleonic Power

Described as the spitting image of her sire, Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), Nucleonic (2 f Burgundy - Mexican Rose, by Volksraad) made it two wins from four starts with a gutsy performance in the $22,500 Rating 65 1200 metres on Saturday at Awapuni.

Impressive winning on debut as a two-year-old, in December last year at New Plymouth, for breeders: Te Akau principal David Ellis and Greg Tomlinson (Nearco Stud), who own the filly in conjunction with David and Matt Peacocke (Weston Lea Bloodstock).

Following a spell, Nucleonic was bombed on the line to finish second when resuming in October at Rotorua, and given time since by trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards she made the trip south worthwhile.

“It was a good tough win after things didn't quite pan out at Rotorua, when she got back and ran home really well,” Richards said.

“She's been a little while between runs and got a lot of improvement in her. It was a lovely ride by Michael (McNab) from a nice barrier. Our plan was to be just behind the pace, which she did, and give her one crack at them and she won well.”

On Dead4 footing in the Tui Backing Winners since 1889 Handicap, Nucleonic ran the 1200 metres in 1:11.2 and returned a tote price of $4.00 & $1.50 on the NZ TAB.

“I always get a special thrill out of winning with a horse that we bred and to race her with three great friends is an added bonus,” Ellis said. “I bought her mother, Mexican Rose, with Greg Tomlinson, and she's at Coolmore, in the Hunter Valley, with a Vancouver filly at foot and in foal to Fastnet Rock”

Her dam, Mexican Rose (Volksraad) was champion 2YO & 3YO in Singapore, having first impressed winning two of her three starts in New Zealand.

“The progeny by Burgundy, who we trained, really are turning out to be something else, just incredible,” Ellis said. “When you see a Burgundy in for the fight, I've noticed they all seem to get their head in front and it's a great quality to have. And, when they're reared on the hills at Te Akau Stud they always have an advantage.

“Nucleonic showed a lot of courage to get up and win today, a really top performance - it was a good result.

“Steve and Jamie have been very patient in training her, doing a great job, as has Kerry Jones who runs her stable and Kerry told me beforehand that the filly was really well in herself and a great chance. As usual, Kerry was spot on.”

Nucleonic was strapped by Meg Lambert.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz