Nariko Ends Season On A High

The Breeze Up sales have grown over the past 15 years to become a must for people trying to source the future stars. With a reputation of producing sharp 2yo’s, they have developed into producing classic winners and they are big business. Nariko was a headline lot at the Craven Breeze Up and she gained her first career win when taking the 6f Unibet Zero % Mission/Support British Racing EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes at Kempton.

She had impressed at the breeze up sales and that continued once Nariko arrived at Hambleton Lodge. The daughter of Night Of Thunder showed a to of natural speed and although ready to make her debut shortly after the sales, the summer weather proved to be a hold up. With no decent ground, Nariko would start at Newcastle.

With her first couple of runs proving to be a little disappointing, the filly was stepped up in trip at Kempton for her third start, tackling 6f. Jim Crowley was booked for the ride and was tasked with trying to get the filly settled over this furlong further. Drawn in stall 9 helped with the tactics and Jim managed to get his filly tucked in from her wide draw.

There was a good gallop being set but Nariko was trying to go a little quicker than her jockey wanted. Pulling past a couple of rivals, Nariko now sat in midfield as they charged towards the right handed bend. Thankfully she was on the right lead and despite being out wide, Nariko headed into the bend stalking the leaders.

Once they entered the home straight, the leader looked to stretch the field. Nariko cruised into contention and whilst her nearest rivals came under pressure, the filly passed them to give chase to the leader. As they raced inside the 2f pole, the front two began to break away from the field. Now Jim asked his filly to go and win the race, which she rallied to do.

Now a two horse race, barring any astonishing finish, Nariko laid down her challenge. The leader proved to have a bit left in the tank and the fillies were neck and neck between he 2f and 1f marker. Jim had yet to ask for everything but heading into the final furlong it was time to put the race to bed. Nariko edged to the front and once she had her nose in front, she began to assert. Under Crowley’s urgings, the filly lengthened, whilst still showing signs of inexperience, to pull away from her rival. Seeing the trip out well,. Nariko earned her first win by a clear 3/4 length.

It was fanatic to see Nariko gain her first win, especially as it is the first horse Mr Ibragimov has had in training at Hambleton Lodge. She has always shown plenty of ability and it looks as though she may have appreciated a little bit of time throughout the season. this will be her last run and Nariko will be given the winter now to grow and mature into her 3yo season. There is certainly plenty of potential for the filly and hopefully next year she can progress from this first win.