Nandowra Bags Feature Double for Freedman
9 April 2012
CRAIG BRENNAN, SINGAPORE TURF CLUB: Trainer Michael Freedman collected a feature race double when the Savabeel 4YO Nandowra took out the Group 3 $200,000 JBBA Moonbeam Vase over 1800m on Sunday.
Freedman had previously scored in the Group 3 Kranji Sprint over 1200m with all-the-way victor Mr Big and Nandowra won the Moonbeam Vase under similar circumstances.
Ridden by visiting Melbourne jockey Craig Williams, Nandowra prevailed despite at one point being headed to win by a head over Silveron Wings (Ivaldo Santana) with Chase Me (Jose Verenzuela) a short-head away third.
Freedman said the Waikato Stud-bred gelding would now have a break before being prepared for the Group 1 Emirates Singapore Derby over 2000m in July.
“I was keen to try him over a bit of ground on the turf and he’s come through it well,” said Freedman.
“He’ll go and have a let-up now and we’ll look towards the Derby with him in July.
“Even though he’s a four-year-old he’s still learning what racing is all about and when he finally puts it altogether I think he might be a handy stayer of the future.”
Williams – who rode Ortensia to victory in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint over 1000m on Dubai World Cup night, said he was lucky enough to get the phone call to come-up to Singapore and ride Masthead, which finished third behind Mr Big in the Kranji Sprint, and then land the money aboard Nandowra.
“I think he’s going to really eat up the Derby distance and if Michael has him at the top of his form for that race then he’s going to run a great race.”
Nandowra has proved to be a model of consistency since beginning his racing career in Singapore 14 months ago.
A four-year-old by Savabeel from the O’Reilly mare Fabaz, Nandowra has won seven of his 14 starts with a further four minor placings and Sunday’s victory took his prizemoney earnings past the $460,000 mark for the Results Stable.
Recent News
14 July 2026
Tivaci’s Movie Night steals the show at Newcastle
A sister to the Gr.1 ATC Flight Stakes (1600m) winner Never Been Kissed, the Waikato Stud-bred and raced Movie Night (NZ) was rewarded for her consistency, breaking her maiden with an all-the-way win over 1400m at Newcastle for trainer Tom Charlton.
Read More
9 July 2026
Oilman’s stud stake could change course of NZ breeding
Eighteen months ago, Texas oilman Nelson Bunker Hunt walked through the lush Waikato pasture of Matamata’s Balcarres Stud and announced he wanted some just like it for his own.
Today he has-360 acres about a mile down the road which has been transformed from a dairy farm to one of New Zealand’s leading horse and cattle breeding establishments.
Read More