NEZAR continued his love affair with Wolves last night when winning his fifth race at the course under Callum Shepherd, continuing the good form of the stable in the last fortnight.
Wolverhampton or Wolves, as it is affectionately known, has been a happy hunting ground for the veteran chesntut son of Mastercraftsman whose five all-weather wins have all been at the Midlands track. He’s also won three times on the turf before joining Harper Lodge Farm earlier on in his 85-race career.
Last night, Nezar had a lot going for him. The well-backed 6/1 shot was a three-times course and distance winner (7f), he was drawn well in six and was well handicapped, running off a mark 11lbs lower than for his last win early last year. Also, he looked very well and had been working nicely at home.
This was just the second time Callum Shepherd had had the leg up for the yard and he gave the horse a well-judged, confident ride. His only ride of the day, he had him in mid-division but in touch with the leaders and Nezar was always travelling best of the nine runners heading into the straight. Switched to the inner over a furlong from home, he led inside the distance to win by three-parts of a length from joint-third favourite, Van Dijk.
Congratulations to owner, Doreen Carter, who has several horses in training at the yard but who has not been too well of late. This success will undoubtedly have been a welcome tonic for her.
It was another very welcome winner for the yard and came hot on the heels of Stake Acclaim’s success the previous day at Windsor. Dancinginthewoods won at Leicester a week last Saturday, so that’s now three wins from eight runs in the last fortnight, a very healthy 38% strike rate!