Photo: Jane Davidson (Race Images)
Elen Nicholas has ridden the highs and lows of racing with Knights Realm (Castledale), and Saturday proved to be the pinnacle of their journey.
The Cambridge-based apprentice rode the Clinton Isdale-trained gelding in his first two starts, with the pair involved in a race fall in their second outing which resulted in Nicholas being sidelined by injury for over a year.
“It wasn’t his fault, he fell over a horse that had fallen in front of him. It was just the wrong place at the wrong time,” Nicholas said.
“I remember flying through the air and looking down and I thought Triston (Moodley, jockey) was hurt because he wasn’t moving. We both came too and I was so relieved he was fine. My ankle was in so much pain and I realised I had broken my leg, which put me out for 18 months.”
She reunited with the son of Castledale last month when runner-up in the Taupo Cup (2000m), and on Saturday at New Plymouth they went one better to win the Gr.3 Denis Wheeler Earthmoving Taranaki Cup (1800m).
The six-year-old gelding jumped away well from his inside barrier and he was able to maintain his advantage on the rail to take up the pacemaker role. Nicholas dictated terms up front before they were challenged on the outside by Enrico from the 400m, with the pair opening up several lengths on their rivals as they turned for home.
Race favourite Bridal Train took chase, but Knights Realm kicked again down the straight and ran out a dominant 7-1/4 length victor over Enrico, with a further head back to Bridal Train in third.
“It was an emotional win and a bit of a surreal one as well,” Nicholas said. “What a cool thing to win a Group Three on that horse.
“He was second in I think 10 of his previous 26 starts, he loves coming second, but definitely wasn’t coming second today, he won by a good bit.”
They were initially set to take on multiple Group One winner El Vencedor, but the Stephen Marsh-trained gelding was scratched, alongside Group Two performer and Taupo Cup victor What You Wish For and Group Three performer The Odyssey, as a result of the Heavy10 track conditions.
While other trainers were despondent by the wet weather, Isdale was licking his lips, with Knights Realm thriving on rain-affected going, which proved to be the case once again on Saturday.
Knights Realm had finished runner-up in his last two starts and Isdale was rapt his consistent gelding was able to break through for an elusive stakes victory.
“He has been running a lot of seconds and for him to put it together like that was really great,” Isdale said.
“He loves a wet track and a couple of the favoured runners came out and it all panned out well. He went into the race in good form, he just needed a bit of luck, and he certainly got it.
“He is very honest, he always puts his hand up.”
Isdale was particularly pleased for Nicholas to get the win on him.
“It was really good for Elen to win on him because she had done a lot early in his career and had a race fall on him which put her out for a year, so it was just good for her to get the win on him,” he said.
Isdale was intending to send Knights Realm to the spelling paddock following Saturday’s run, but after his dominant performance, he is now contemplating one last summer assignment for him.
“It is always good to go out on a winning note, but when he won like that we might have to roll the dice one more time,” he said.
