Proud of Nuclear likes it long
Proud Of Nuclear, trained by Gary Subratie, revealed his staying ability when he released the maiden tag in a 1,820-metre event at Caymanas Park last Saturday. Proud of Nuclear outstayed rivals to win by two lengths going away in a smart time of 1:58.3, easing down in the end.
With Robert Halledeen riding in the popular colours of owner Michros, Proud Of Nuclear, under a tight hold going around the clubhouse turn, sat in sixth position as She’s A Legacy (Javaniel Patterson) and Rogamma (Odeen Edwards) led the field of eight runners at a brisk clip.
Leaving the six-furlong marker, Proud Of Nuclear improved one spot to fifth asShe’s A Legacy continued to dictate the pace going into the half-mile, withRogamma,Subbie (Bebeto Harvey) andRaksha (Anthony Thomas) looking like real dangers.
Turning for home, with four horses spread across the track headed by
Subbie, who tried to pull away from rivals,Proud Of Nuclear got a perfect run on the inside rails and the bay colt powered past rivals to win. Stable companionSubbie finished second, withRogamma third.
Don Wehby representing Michros said after the race that
Proud Of Nuclear is shaping up to be a major factor during the longer Classic races such as the Jamaica Derby and St Leger, which are also two turn races.
“The performance by
Proud Of Nuclear, I think was good. I think that the time was also good, 1:58.3 on a good racing surface is encouraging. This shows thatProud Of Nuclear really likes a distance of ground as he sat off the pace, waited and came running on in deep stretch.
“He is really a nice horse with ability and I now hope that he will be ready for the Classic races coming up. “He (
Proud Of Nuclear) is improving rapidly and I think that he will perform really well during the Classic races. Halledeen said that he (Proud Of Nuclear) felt really good and so hopefully we will have a lot to celebrate in the future.
“I think that he will go on to the Prince Consort, then the 2,000 Guineas but that is a decision to be made by the trainer and of course Michael Bernard. But the main objective is always the Derby,” Wehby told the
Complete Racing Guide.
