Despite a catalogue of self-inflicted injuries, the All Too Hard gelding Nation State broke his maiden at start two in the Evergreen Turf Maiden Plate (1000m) at Ballarat on Wednesday.
Ridden by Teo Nugent for John Moloney, Nation State looked to have been dropped by the leader Dreamzel at the 300m but rallied to defeat the Deep field filly by a half-neck with the Nicconi mare Glowlight two and three-quarter lengths back in third.
Nation State was third on debut at Sale on June 7, which has proved a solid form race. The runner-up Il Cubo was a recent winner at Kilmore, sixth placed Piastri won his next start at Ballarat, and seventh Bold Julius won his next start at Warracknabeal.
Moloney Racing shelled out $180,000 to purchase Nation State from the Blue Gum Farm draft at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
‘He had a serious injury on his back leg that needed an operation after kicking out and split a forearm open in a paddock accident. He has done those things to himself on his own accord, so we will be very cautious with him from here on in,” Moloney revealed.
“He still needs to learn what racing is all about. Physically, he still looked a bit soft to me going out, so there is a lot of improvement in him.”
Teo Nugent said he has forged a connection with the 3-year-old gelding after he and partner Clare spelled him at the farm.
“He’s a lovely horse. We spelled him out at the farm for a few months and he is really progressing,” Nugent said.
“He is probably a better ride than he is to deal with in the paddock. He is a gentleman, and it is nice to see them progress from the paddock to the stable and into the winner’s stall.”
The striking chestnut son of All Too Hard is a half-brother to three winners led by the stakes-placed Starry Legend (Zoustar).
His dam, the 3-time winning Reset mare Savsenga, was recently sold for just $600 after missing last spring, while her Brazen Beau yearling was passed in short of his $60,000 reserve at the 2023 Inglis Great Southern Sale.
