Ciaron Maher believes Nadal’s recent performance in The Meteorite was better than it appeared on paper as the gelding builds toward his next assignment in the Christmas Stakes.
Nadal contested the $1 million 1200m feature at Cranbourne last month at his third run back this preparation, finishing midfield behind the in-form Jigsaw on a testing afternoon.
While the sixth placing may not have jumped off the page, Maher said the post-race data painted a far more encouraging picture.
“He’s in good order,” Maher said. “His figures post-race were good.
“Aesthetically it only looked fair, but he actually went good.”
The backmarker was beaten less than four lengths in the Meteorite, making steady ground under difficult conditions and without enjoying clear running late.
Nadal has taken longer than expected to reach full fitness after a setback late last year. He resumed with a fifth placing in the Group 2 Herald Sun Sprint (1000m) at Caulfield, before battling through heavy going in the Listed Fisher Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
Maher said Nadal finished off strongly in the Meteorite despite lacking the room to fully extend, giving confidence he can take another step forward in the Christmas Stakes.
