Sunday, 21 January 2018: Nova Strike might not be among the best of the best at Kranji but his incredible will to win again came to the fore in the $125,000 Kranji Stakes 1 Division 2 race over 1400m on Friday night.

Nova Strike winning the KRANJI STAKES A

The gallant five-year-old son of Red Giant seldom disappoints as his record of six wins, which includes a well-deserved Group win in the Group 3 Colonial Chief Stakes (1700m) last December, and six thirds from 28 starts showed before Friday’s race.



The Alwin Tan-trained stalwart was all heart again at his last start in the Group 3 New Year Cup, but the 1200m proved too short as he settled for a fast-closing third to Speedy Dragon.

With the extra 200m to cover and under a determined ride from apprentice jockey Troy See, Nova Strike , who shortened late to start as the $12 favourite, was able to put the race to bed to bring up his ninth win and more than $960,000 in stakes earnings for the Nova Racing Stable.



See’s first words at the post-race debrief graciously went to Nova Strike’s former partner Manoel Nunes. After the three-time Singapore champion jockey’s licence was not renewed, connections had to find a new jockey and the Singaporean rider was the one who landed the plum job.



“This is just a pick-up ride from Manoel. As you know, this horse is quite a superstar for the yard,” said See.



“I’m just lucky to be the one who got on top of him. I don’t know if I’ll stay on as there are heaps of talented riders here but I would certainly like to.



“I spoke with Manoel about this horse and he told me how to ride him. Like at the 300m, he was not really quickening but once I changed my whip to the left hand, he just flew in.



“He was on the right leg, but sometimes, when you keep hitting a horse at the one spot, they don’t go through their gears, but once you change, they wake up and just stretch out better.”



Indeed, Nova Strike looked to be labouring at the 300m when Hermano Menor (Craig Grylls) opened up to a commanding break at the top of the straight.



But once See flicked the persuader to the other side, the game chestnut suddenly pinned his ears back, immediately pulling the ground off Hermano Menor to go and record a solid win by three parts of a length from second favourite Iron Man (Barend Vorster).



Hermano Menor did well to hang on for third place another three-quarter length away. The winning time was 1min 22.37secs for the 1400m on the Long Course.



Tan let in he has nominated Nova Strike for the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m) and the Group 2 Godolphin Mile (1600m) to be run on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan on March 31.



“He is a small horse with a big heart. He always puts his best in his races, but he needed a break and has come back in good order,” said the Singaporean handler.



“Troy listened to the instructions and the pace suited the horse as well.



“Tentatively, I will set him for the (Group 3) Fortune Bowl (over 1400m on February 17) but I have also nominated him for two Dubai races, the Golden Shaheen and the Godolphin Mile.



“I’ll see how he pulls up and decide where he goes from there.”