Another Healy for Yorke
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Scott Thurlow cruises Nuclear Medicine home to another victory
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Nuclear Medicine is emerging as another star of Gordon Yorke’s Coffs Harbour stables after he claimed the Group 3 W.J. Healy Stakes 1200m.
His large group of owners gave the longest and loudest cheer at the Tattersall’s raceday on Saturday, June 21 about their third win in a row. They all had ties and sashes in their colours of apricot and red stars.
Ridden by Scott Thurlow, the $2.10 race favourite raced hard to get to the front from the barriers and there they sat just in front heading to the straight.
Rapid Jacko (Scott Seamer) tried to get in front but Nuclear Medicine (G4 Nuclear Freeze USA-Gentle Air) kept his lead and moved forward to win by a one and a quarter lengths.
Daunting Lad (Michael Rodd) finished third two and a half lengths behind.
Trainer Yorke was also very impressed with the win and comparison’s to his previous star Natural Destiny came to the fore.
“(At) His last trial he put himself in that area in our stables because his times were exceptional. He settles good, he’s a high speed runner and he can kick,” he said.
“We planned this race, won it with Natural Destiny and it means a lot to come back.”
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Jubilant Nuclear Medicine connections (Noel Pascoe photos)
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During his time Natural Destiny won 10 races from his 15 starts, including two Group 3 and two Listed races only missing out on prizemoney once until he was forced to retire.
“We can’t close the book on it,” said Yorke. “I’m happy the horse has gone to stud basically a winner in my hands. Natural Destiny taught me a lot.”
Yorke was also very happy with Thurlow’s ride. “Scotty rode the horse brilliant,” he said. “Absolute genius the boy, I owe a lot to him.”
“He’s always there when I need him. Always watched what I do, always followed what I did.”
Thurlow was impressed with the gelding’s form. “He’s obviously stepped to the next level,” he said.
“He’s just that little bit brilliant on soft going. He can travel and let down like a really nice horse. He’s kept improving this preparation outstanding. He’s gone from one step to another to another to another.”
“I rode him early in the piece and I won on him and I won a Listed race at Eagle Farm about six weeks ago.”
“I used to ride the other horse for Gordon, Natural Destiny. I won his first four on him. He was always a nice horse,” said Thurlow who agreed with the comparisons between the two.
“He’s (Nuclear Medicine) getting there, the other horse (Natural Destiny) had natural ability from the word go. This horse has been stepping up to that mark.”
This was the second Black Type win for Nuclear Medicine after he won the Listed John Power Handicap two months earlier. The gelding has placed in all his 14 starts bar two including seven wins certainly giving connections something to cheer about.
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Hollie Roberts – June 23
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