Nova Strike (NZ) Takes Moonbeam Vase

The $60,000 Ready to Run Sale recruit Nova Strike (NZ) (Red Giant) collected the second stakes win of his career with an impressive performance in Sunday’s S$200,000 Listed Moonbeam Vase (1600m) at Kranji.

Previously the winner of the Colonial Chief Stakes (1700m) and Singapore’s Champion Polytrack Horse of 2017, Nova Strike has also been placed seven times at black-type level including the Singapore Derby, Kranji Mile, 3YO Classic and Jumbo Jet Trophy.

Sunday was a highly deserved breakthrough performance, settling in fourth or fifth position before unwinding powerfully in the straight to score by a length and a quarter.

“He’s actually a nice horse, and has been running very good races like in the Kranji Mile where he showed he could fight against the best,” winning jockey Olivier Placais said. “He’s a horse who races with all his heart every time I ride him.”

Nova Strike has now had 45 starts for 10 wins, 16 placings and more than S$1.2 million in prize money for his owners the Nova Racing Stable. He has earned 20 times his purchase price.

“I’ve been waiting for this race for Nova Strike – he’s a top-class horse,” trainer Alwin Tan said.

Nova Strike was bred by Jeff Simpson and descends from an outstanding international family, featuring Group 1 winners such as Circles of Gold (Marscay), Elvstroem (Danehill), Haradasun (Fusaichi Pegasus), Highland Reel (Galileo), Starspangledbanner (Choisir) and Polar Success (Success Express).

Sunday’s second and third placegetters were also Karaka graduates. Runner-up Preditor (NZ) (Savabeel) cost $75,000 and has earned more than S$450,000, while the third-placed Mr Clint (NZ) (Power) cost $52,500 as a yearling and $95,000 at the Ready to Run Sale. He has earned more than S$740,000 in prize-money.