OTI’s ex-German galloper, Nordic Flight, will make his long-awaited return at Caulfield on Saturday (Race 10, 5.20PM). Niggling issues have kept the gelding away from the races since August 2016, but after much rehabilitation and three strong trials he’s now ready to resume.
Germany has been the source of great staying success on Australian shores in recent years, headlined by Protectionist who took home the 2014 Melbourne Cup.
Nordic Flight came to Australia in 2016 on the back of tremendous 3YO form. In June of 2015, he won the Derby trial before having no luck in the German Derby at his subsequent outing. He would quickly bounce back and claim the Preis der BBAG Jahrlingsauktion at Baden Baden over 2400M before running 3rd unsuitably soft ground in the St Leger (2800M).
Nordic Flight had always been a little ‘hot-headed’ and after arriving in Australia he was gelded in an attempt to improve his raceday manners. He was disappointing in two starts in August last year but subsequent investigation found he was battling a niggling issue.
Both the Freedman’s and Nordic Flight’s owners have been patient in allowing him time to get back to full health and hopefully they’ll be rewarded with racetrack success. The gelding’s most recent trial at Flemington was most-impressive when working strongly through the line, signalling he was ready to return to the track.
The 1600M of Saturday’s race is certainly seen as short of Nordic Flight’s ideal distance but he should be hitting the line strongly with a view to getting our over 2000M and beyond in coming starts.
One of his main rivals in Saturday’s race will be another OTI horse, Pemberley, who has trialled up especially well ahead of his resumption but he does have an awkward alley to overcome. Trained by Ciaron Maher, the 5YO gelding is scheduled to head to Queensland in search of Winter Carnival riches.
OTI wishes its owners all the very best with both runners on Saturday and for a successful preparation ahead.
