Image: Steve Hart
Norwegian Bliss looks to maintain his perfect start to his career at Hawkesbury
She currently has five wins from as many outings and Norwegian Bliss, groomed by Nathan Doyle, will be looking to add to the win column at Hawkesbury this weekend.
After having chained four victories in a row during her first campaign, the El Roca mare resumed in fine fashion with a determined victory over an unsuitable 1100m at Hawkesbury a fortnight ago.
Doyle has his double nomination this Saturday in Group 3 Hawkesbury Crown and Benchmark 78, with both contests on a more preferred course of 1300m. The Newcastle-based conditioner sees this weekend’s distance to be more to his mare’s taste.
“It was very nice to see her win that day (at Hawkesbury for the first time),” Doyle told SEN’s Andrew Bensley on Tuesday morning.
“James (McDonald) jumped up and said she was never comfortable in the 1100m. She feels a lot more like a miler for him.
“She was always short of hunting, but was still able to get the job done.
“She was probably stronger late on so we could just weigh in and see if we go to Benchmark 78 on Saturday or skip the Crown race. I think once she gets up on her travels, that’s when you’ll see the best of her.
The Norwegian Bliss has shown adaptability in her five starts to date, winning from the front or from the back, a fact that was not lost on Doyle.
“She’s pretty versatile and she’s got a good attitude and a drive to want to win,” Doyle said.
“That’s half the battle with these horses. She’s a very confident horse right now, being five out of five, so hopefully she can take the next step.
The four-year-old owned by Gerry Harvey has always shown Doyle that she’s a galloper with plenty of upside and maybe she could measure up to the stakes company on the track. If she gets a run in the Hawkesbury crown this weekend, it will be her first attempt at group level.
“She has always been a bit of a lady since she entered the stable. She knew she was pretty good and wanted to own the place straight away,” Doyle said.
“I guess she knows she has a bit of ability, but we’re going to place her right and hopefully she can go on and get some black type.”
With 16 winners (32%) among his last 50 runners, Doyle’s Newcastle operation is running full steam ahead and he is grateful to his team.
“I have to pinch myself actually the season we’ve had, we only have 35 at work. To get the winners that we’ve had, I think it’s an honor for the staff that we have here at home, they’ve done a tremendous job,” Doyle said.
“(They) returned them in good condition. You need to have a good team around you and we certainly have that.
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Except SA & WA. Terms and conditions apply. Play responsibly.
Comments are closed.