Bruno Cannatelli
Apprentice jockey Teo Nugent made the most of his first race ride for in-form trainer John Sadler when he partnered Fastnet Rock gelding Asgard Massif to victory at Caulfield on Saturday.
For Nugent, it was just his fifth career city success but his 70th overall this season as the 20-year-old extended his lead in the race for apprentice honours in Victoria in 2018/19.
But while Nugent can look forward to future successes at Caulfield, it is an unlikely scenario for Asgard Massif with the horse either going on to race in Singapore for his owner Dr K C Tan or to be sold to Hong Kong to continue his career.
Asgard Massif started the $3.10 favourite and he gave his supporters few worries as he took the lead early and then fought of challengers to win by a length and a quarter.
"I was hoping he might be able to lead comfortably by two or three lengths and get out on his own and do his own thing but he was hassled most of the way so to fight the way he did – obviously the 51 (kilos) helped a lot – but I thought Teo did quite a good job on him," Sadler said.
"He’ll either be sold or more than likely go to Singapore to race for his owner Dr Tan, who is one of my biggest clients.
"He may have another run. It just depends on what the doctor says."
Assgard Massif was purchased out of Curraghmore’s 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run draft and is a full brother to dual Australian Group Two winner Formality.- racing.com
