Cover image courtesy of Michael McInally
Written by Paul Vettise
Nudge (Fastnet Rock) has quickly made up for lost time following a lengthy winless streak when the 4-year-old came with another paralysing burst from the tail of the field to claim top honours at Eagle Farm in the Magic Millions National Classic.
The Chris Waller-trained Nudge had ended a barren spell when she landed the G3 Pam O’Neill S. at Doomben last month and that was her first visit on return to the winner's stall since November 2019.
While she might not have earned major rewards in the meantime, it hadn’t been for a want of trying and the mare had collected five minor placings, including a third in the G1 Vinery Stud S. behind Shout The Bar (Not A Single Doubt) and Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel).
With her confidence buoyed by the Pam O’Neill S. breakthrough, Nudge roared home from near last at the top of the straight to claim the thick end of the stake under the urgings of Kerrin McEvoy.
Genuine mare Yamazaki (Real Saga) settled back of midfield and got home strongly for second ahead of Rocha Clock (Pierro).
The well-supported Nettoyer (Sebring) finished fourth after getting to the front halfway down the straight.
The two-time winner was making her first appearance for Newgate, SF and Hollymount Stud after they bought her out of Widden Stud’s draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale for $900,000.
Gifted performer and producer
Nudge was bred by New Zealander John Bromley, who raced the dam Julinsky Princess (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}) and she was a gifted mare who won nine races, including three at Listed level and finished third in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas.
She was purchased by Waller and Guy Mulcaster for $380,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where she was part of the Lime Country Thoroughbreds draft.
Nudge as a yearling
Julinsky Princess, who didn’t produce a foal last year and was served by Yes Yes Yes, is doing a fine job at stud with her son Julinsky Prince (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) a dual Group 1 winner of the Windsor Park Plate and the Captain Cook S.
Julinsky Princess is from a family that has made its mark across the Southern Hemisphere as she is out of a half-sister to the two-time South African stakes winner Unknown Heights (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}) and the Listed Singapore winner Dontellthewife (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}).
They are out of the Shirley Heights (GB) mare Juliette Heights (GB) and she is a daughter of the multiple Group 1 winner Juliette Marny (GB) (Blakeney {GB}), whose brother Julio Mariner (GB) won the G1 English St Leger and half-sister Scintillate (GB) (Sparkler {Ire}) the G1 English Oaks.
