Tim Bell will make a flying visit to Sydney to ride Napayshini in Saturday’s Run To The Rose.
The former Sydney-based apprentice has forged a successful career as a senior jockey in Brisbane but is willing to travel to fulfil his ambitions of big-race wins.
Bell rode Napayshini to a runaway win in a Gosford three-year-old maiden on August 15 and became an instant fan and will partner the Grant Allard-trained gelding in the Group Three Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill.
“Admittedly there wasn’t much in the race. It was a three-year-old maiden at Gosford when it comes down to it, but he ran extremely good sectionals,” Bell said.
“When you win by five-and-a-half lengths with a fair bit left in hand you know they’re pretty good.”
Napayshini led most of the way at Gosford but Bell said it wasn’t a pre-race plan to take up the front-running role.
“I was in a position where I was going to be three-deep with a lap full of horse so I let him slide to the lead a furlong out of the barriers and once he found the front he pulled me right to the top of the straight,” he said.
“I gave him one click up and he lifted right through the line running his last 600 metres in 33.90 (seconds) which shows the sort of potential he has.”
In the Run To The Rose, Bell would prefer to settle Napayshini off the speed with some cover.
“I’d be happy to see him settle fourth or fifth with a bit of cover which is a better option in these races than leading,” he said.
Bell acknowledges the Run To The Rose is a massive jump in grade for Napayshini but believes he’ll be competitive.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to have ridden some nice three-year-olds like Love Conquers All in the early days and this horse gives me the feel of a good horse,” he said.
“They’re nowhere near the bottom of him yet. He’s probably a bit immature because he’s only had three starts but he’s come a long way in a short time.”
Napayshini gave an indication of his ability at his debut at Warwick Farm in December when he missed the start badly before charging home to finish a close second to I’m All The Talk.
Allard had Napayshini gelded after he finished ninth to Never Can Tell in the Canonbury Stakes at Rosehill in February when it was discovered he was suffering from a twisted testicle.
