After two starts last season on rain-affected tracks in Victoria, Nadal headed north to Sydney in search of better tracks. Overnight rain and morning showers ended that dream; however, it proved no obstacle to the son of Xtravagant breaking his maiden at Randwick-Kensington.
Ridden by Jason Collett for Ciaron Maher & David Eustace, Nadal launched from last on the turn to defeat the Snitzel filly Makarena by a widening one-and-a-half lengths with the Harry Angel (IRE) colt Tellez a half-head back in third in the Ranvet Mdn Hcp (1100m).
Nadal started favourite at his career debut at Bendigo in June when second behind Outback Miss before being outpointed by the undefeated daughter of Rubick three weeks later at Caulfield.
“It wasn’t the plan to be so far back, but he showed the benefit of those two runs,” assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said.
“He came here looking for dry tracks. He showed a good turn of foot and was very impressive.”
The top-priced Xtravagant yearling of his year, Nadal was a $250,000 purchase for Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from the Newhaven Park draft at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
The son of Xtravagant is the first winner from two to race for the stakes-winning Moshe mare Moshki, winner of the Listed SAJC Cinderella Stakes.
Ciaron Maher Bloodstock returned to this year’s Premier Sale to purchase Nadal’s sister for $75,000.
After foaling an Xtravagant colt last spring, Moshki was covered by Savabeel’s dual Group 1 winning son for the sixth consecutive season.
Xtravagant stands at Newhaven Park Stud in 2023 for a fee of $22,000
