Group One Golden Rose aspirations remain alive for three-year-old Nediym’s Quest after his narrow win at Newcastle on Wednesday.
Trainer David Pfieffer has made no secret of his high opinion of Nediym’s Quest, who resumed for just his second race start in the De Bortoli Plate (1200m) at the Australian Turf Club meeting.
The General Nediym colt did a few things wrong as a short-priced favourite but knuckled down to his task late to win by a head over Warbird with Maximilian a half-length away third.
Pfieffer believes the colt will take plenty out of the narrow victory and be better for it as he steps up in class in the coming weeks.
“My reservation before the race was that in total he’s had five barrier trials and won three of them very easily but he’s never been asked to go out and really chase a runner down,” Pfieffer said.
“When he had to do that today he got a bit lost so I think he’ll learn a lot from it.”
Pfieffer is yet to determine the colt’s next start but the Group Three Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) on his home track at Warwick Farm later this month is an option.
“We’re aiming towards the Golden Rose,” Pfieffer said.
“Whether he gets there is up to the horse.
“I think he’s still a bit immature and still learning. He’s shown lots of ability, we’ve all seen it in trials, but when you get to the top stage of racing you can’t make any mistakes.”
Reigning premiership winner Hugh Bowman made his first appearance of the new season at Newcastle and rode a winning double aboard Danaura and Hendricus.
