Image: Bradley Photos.
He was 916 days between drinks, but the Jeremy Sylvester-trained Nosey broke through for his eighth career victory in Muswellbrook on Monday.
The nine-year-old had last won on December 29, 2020, in a 1000m Benchmark 66 at Gosford when under the care of Newcastle trainer Kris Lees.
Since then, he’s swapped hands twice, racing with Kellie Nichols before arriving in Sylvester’s Kitchener yard.
It was his 21st start for the stable and his first win, with the trainer and owner’s patience paying off.
The Eavesdropper gelding starting a $9.50 chance and with Kelsey Lenton in the saddle, finished strongly in the 1000m Benchmark 58 Handicap, beating the Luke Thomas-trained No Filter (Aaron Bullock, $2.40) in second, and the Ben Lees-trained Ruby Factor (Digger McLellan, $31) in third.
“I thought he was a chance,” Sylvester said in an interview following the race.
“He tries, and he’s been running good races in other harder races for the last six or seven runs, and Luke Rolls and different riders have said he’s going good, but he just needs a drop in grade, and that’s what we did today.”
Nosey entered the race following a good second in an 1100m Benchmark 58 Handicap at Armidale on June 6, and Sylvester believes Lenton’s claim made a big difference.
“The run at Armidale was a good run, and Kelsey rode it again because he’s just been a hard horse to place,” Sylvester said.
“We thought we would get him down in his ratings, and she claimed three (kilograms) today, which helps.”
It was a good day for Sylvester, who brought up a double at Muswellbrook.
Mikayla Weir was in the saddle when Master Of Rewards ($10) won, and it was a similar style of victory, with the pair flashing late for a half-head win in the 1000m Class One Handicap.
“Kelsey said she was going to ride him how Mikayla rode Master Of Rewards, and I think she might have rode him better than Mikayla; she won by further,” Sylvester laughed.
The Muswellbrook double highlights a good run of form for Sylvester’s team, who have notched recent wins at Wauchope, Gunnedah, and Scone.
The stable will now focus on what could be a big two days at Tamworth on Friday and Royal Randwick on Saturday.
For Muswellbrook results, click here.
