The Group III Neds Coongy Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on Wednesday changed compexion dramatically in the final 200 metres, as the leaders backed up it was Nonconformist and top-weight Harlem (GB) who settled down to fight the race out.
It looked as if Mark Zahra had timed his run to perfection on Harlem (Champs Elysees). However, Jordan Childs had enough in the tank on Nonconformist (Rebel Raider), and with a six kg pull in the weights, held the challenge of Harlem by a long-neck with a further three lengths back to Kiwia (Reset).
The Grahame Begg-trained Nonconformist has hit the board in his first seven starts before disappointing when seventh at his most recent start over 1700 metres at Caulfield.
“That was a good watch; he (Childs) gave him the perfect ride and presented at the right time. It’s just really good to get the horse back on track because he had a bit of a hiccup along the way, a lot of people bagged him, but this was the right race for him today,” Begg said.
“There are a couple of races for him at Flemington. I have in the back of my mind a race like the (Group 1) Cantala, give him a freshen-up and back to a mile.
“He certainly needed to win today to be able to do that and get his rating points up. We will see what happens.”
Winner of the Group II Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley, the 4yo gelded son of Rebel Raider advances his record to four wins one second and three thirds from nine starts with earnings of $423,150.
A homebred for the Henwood family, Nonconformist, is the first foal of the Hold That Tiger mare Good Thinking who raced in the same colours as Nonconformist.
She won three races and placed at Flemington and Moonee Valley. Sadly, both Nonconformist’s sire and dam are no longer with us.
Good Thinking died in January 2019. She has just one more foal, a 2yo colt by Master Of Design.
Victoria Derby and South Australian Derby winner Rebel Raider died suddenly at Wyndholm Park last October due to a ruptured aorta.
He covered 20 mares before his death. Eleven of those have already foaled.
