Race tempo is a vital factor to the chances of Nextanix in Friday’s Goulburn Cup.
Trainer Kerry Parker believes the lightly-raced four-year-old can run a super race, given a genuinely run event.
“Hopefully with a full field it should generate an even tempo and give Nextanix a chance to find the line like we know he can do,” Parker said.
“He’s going to be giving the others a decent start.
“My horse is still learning but if it’s run right, he’s in with a great chance.”
Parker described the 1600m feature as a race with a long tail.
“Form wise, there looks to be a number of chances, right down to those on the minimum (53kg),” he said.
“There is no standout. I targeted this race for Nextanix some time back.
“The bigger, longer straight at Goulburn will suit Nextanix. It’s worth $80,000. Nice money indeed.”
Nextanix, by Domesday out of Harveynicks, was initially purchased for $8000 at the Inglis Classic yearling sale.
The gelding’s current syndicate, which includes Parker, purchased him privately at a later date.
A big, strong type, Nextanix showed Parker enough to consider him a Derby horse as a three-year-old.
He tackled the 2010 Ming Dynasty (1400m) and Gloaming Stakes (1800m) before Parker pulled the pin when he disappointed in the latter won by Retrieve.
The ensuing spell lasted far longer than Parker planned (41 weeks) when Nextanix suffering a series of unexpected problems.
“The horse got real crook in the paddock,” Parker said.
“He got heart problems and pneumonia.
“It took a kind hand and patience to eventually get him back.”
Nextanix struck first-up winning a maiden at his home track of Kembla Grange in July and has subsequently strung together a second to promising Altius over 1500m at Rosehill, a 1400m win on the Kensington track at Randwick and a last start rapidly closing second to Hard Liquor over 1600m at Randwick on November 5.
“He’s not sharp enough when they relax mid race like they did at Randwick last start,” Parker said.
“He’s a big horse, that’s part of his problem. He doesn’t generate a lot of early speed.
“He raced a little dour at Randwick. I’ve just pottered around with him since and tried to keep him happy and keep a bit of a sprint in his legs.
“He’s going terrific.”
AAP TURF
