Nini Ok

For the second time in as many runs when finishing fourth in a sprint handicap at The Curragh, Nini Ok shaped much better than that suggested by the bare result of the Premier Handicap won by Bubbly Bellini.

John Murphy’s filly was alongside Ado McGuinness’s gelding in the six-furlong contest, and travelling much better than the ultimate winner, as they passed the two-furlong pole, but the leaders got away from her a little as Derek McCormack moved her to her right in search of racing room, and she finished strongly on the far side to take fourth place, despite continuing to move to her right.

The Acclamation filly was also a little unlucky on her previous run over five furlongs at headquarters three weeks ago. Slowly away that day, she was stone last of the 13 runners passing the two-furlong pole, but she made ground, weaving between runners and drifting to her right, to finish fourth behind Cape Of Approval and First In Command.

It may be significant that her only win to date has been gained at Kempton, it may be that she is at her best going right-handed. She railed like a greyhound at right-handed Kempton, and she had also moved to her right when she finished second behind subsequent dual listed race winner Slade Power in a handicap at Cork in April.

The handicapper has dropped her 1lb to a mark of 77 after Sunday’s run, which is no harm at all. She seems to handle all types of surface – good ground and soft ground as well as Polytrack – and she will be of interest wherever she runs next, especially if it looks like she will have a rail to her right.

© The Irish Field, 6th October 2012

30th September 2012

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