Nordic Rebel refused to be intimidated and the ten-year-old recorded his 13th career win at the Vaal today. (JC Photos)
Wins on the flat by ten-year-olds are few and far betweeen around the world, especially in South Africa which does not have forgiving going, yet the Erico Verdonese-trained Nordic Rebel has now won two races in his ten-year-old season.
He won over 1500m at Turffontein Inside in February off a 75 merit rating and today recorded the 13th win of his career over 1600m down the Vaal straight off a 77.
Gavin Lerena has been aboard in both wins this season and today was the 8th time the twice SA Champion jockey had won on the long-striding Rebel King gelding.
Rebel King won the Gr 1 Cape Flying Championship as well as the Gr 2 SA Nursery, the Gr 2 Diadem and the Gr 2 Senor Santa.
Nordic Rebel is one of a handful of horses still running for Rebel King, although two of his horses in training are actually three-year-olds.
Gavin Lerena dropped Nordic Rebel out from draw six in the eight horse field today and sat on the outside train behind Majestic Palace and Officer In Command.
He produced him with a late run on the outside rail and looked the likely winner entering the last 100m.
It was a courageous win from both jockey and horse because Officer In Commmand, who had assumed command earlier, came across him in the closing stages. A lesser partnership would have seen the horse throwing his head up and stopping, but Lerena and Nordic Rebel refused to give an inch and barged their way through the tightening gap.
Lerena said afterwards, “It’s just a phenomenal story, there is such a sweet place in my heart for this horse, we’ve gotten on so well. He has been a soldier throughout hlis career and all accolades must go to my trainer (Erico Verdonese) and his team. It’s just phenomenal.”
Erico said about the fight the horse put up, “Unbelievable! It was lovely to watch. Sometimes this horse can get you little bit going, but today I was very calm. He was traveling well and when Gavin produced him I said ‘Here we go, race on again.’ They did get a little bit tight, but for once it’s gone my way. The way Gavin handles him … if you let him go too soon he does it all and then he won’t get there. So him and Gavin have got this rapport and while it is going… You know you have to see this guy in the mornings, he looks like he is a youngster out there. He puts a spring in my stride.”
Both Gavin and Erico congratulated the owners “Eric and GeeGee”
The registered owners are Mr & Mrs E R Grace & Mr D D Savadier & Mr E Verdonese.
Nordic Rebel’s groom Jose Sithole is appropriately nicknamed “Life”.
He has done a fine job keeping Nordic Rebel’s zest for life going and there could be more racing to follow judging by today’s performance.
