The Ciaron Maher stable will have a minimum of two runners in the inaugural running of The Supernova, the second slot race of Southside Racing.
The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday, carries $1 million in prize money and sits as a feature race on the Pakenham program which will also see the Listed Pakenham Cup.
Nadal will represent Ciaron Maher Racing and will be looking to make a clean sweep of Southside Racing’s two slot races having won The Meteorite (1200m) at Cranbourne on November 23, along with a sizeable payday for charity partner Equine Pathways Australia.
One of Maher’s other runners will be Chorlton Lane, who will represent the Moonee Valley Racing Club in Saturday’s race, while negotiations are continuing to secure Warnie in the $1 million contest.
Chorlton Lane is also a last start winner for ‘charity’ having scored in the Canberra Community Chest on November 24.
While Nadal has to step up to 1400m on Saturday, Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull does not see that being a problem.
Nadal has been to 1400m once previously, finishing well back in the Group 1 Golden Rose behind Militarize as a three-year-old.
“I’m not concerned, but I guess there’s a question mark,” Turnbull said.
“He ran three lengths behind Militarise, at his only go at that trip as a three-year-old.
“There is that to think about, but that was a messy race itself, and he was a younger horse.
“If he relaxes and there is good speed in the race, I would be confident he’ll get it, because I think class will take him a long way.”
Nadal has not raced since his win in The Meteorite, but the gelding was given a ‘tickover’ jump-out at Cranbourne last Monday.
Turnbull said rider Dylan Browne Mcmonagle gave the stable a glowing report post the jump-out.
“Dylan had some very positive feedback that he gave to us internally which is always pleasing, and he’s come through that hit-out,” Turnbull said.
“That’ll be his gallop and he’ll just tiptoe through now as his fitness is fine.”
Turnbull said if Nadal was found wanting at 1400m, that would not be the case with Chorlton Lane.
“Chorlton Lane is very good at seven furlongs,” Turnbull said.
“He’s proven, so he’s probably the other end of the spectrum, but I think that’ll make for an interesting race.
“I would dare say those two are going to be at the top end of the market.”
