Racing: Nom Du Jeu takes first step back with encouraging trial

Top stayer Nom Du Jeu was beaten into second in his barrier trial at Cambridge yesterday but co-trainer Murray Baker was not surprised.

My Scotsgrey headed Nom Du Jeu by a short neck in their 1200m heat with Showcause half a head back third after leading.

After looking extremely promising, My Scotsgrey had something of a below-par campaign towards the end of last season.

"He's a lot stronger horse this time in," said trainer Shaune Ritchie.

"Even though he ran in the VRC Derby he was a little weak at the time.

"He was a stayer then, but now he's a stronger stayer.

"I believe there's a good two-mile [3200m] race in him, but at what level remains to be seen."

Nom Du Jeu, coming back from leg problems, found the holding track against him late in the trial, according to rider Opie Bosson.

"He probably needed a few more than four in the trial to make it more of a race," said Murray Baker.

Baker was not prepared to say Nom Du Jeu, a candidate for the Kelt Stakes at Hastings, had completely shrugged off his injury problems.

"He'll probably have another trial, perhaps at Te Awamutu," he said.

Nom Du Jeu, somewhat light in condition earlier in his career, has furnished into a magnificent individual.

Trainer Frank Ritchie was delighted with Showcause finishing so close.

"He's not a leader and he wouldn't have appreciated the testing, heavy conditions as much as the other pair," he said.

Showcause and My Scotsgrey will both resume racing in the R80 1400m event at Ruakaka on August 26.

Murray Baker was thrilled his talented stayer Harris Tweed finished third to High Octane in the other open 1200m trial.

Baker said he would probably aim Harris Tweed at the cups in Melbourne.

"He might have a run in the open 1600m at Hastings before he goes."

Baker has a big opinion of Harris Tweed who, like Showcause, made a very rapid rise through the classes last season and should be that much better this preparation.

"That AJC Derby form always holds up," said Baker.

"He could be a handy horse in Australia this spring."

Harris Tweed does not appear to have strengthened in outward appearance during his winter spell, but is probably always going to be a lean stayer.

Showcase, similarly, is not noticeably stronger than in his last preparation, but rider Michael Coleman said the horse feels stronger.

"There's a nice staying race in him somewhere this summer," said Coleman.

High Octane may run in the same Hastings race as Harris Tweed if he doesn't get a run in the $220,000 Mudgway Partsworld Stakes at Hastings.

Overkaast split the first two.

Local trainer Don Sellwood produced a couple of talented unraced maidens in Catanova, a One Cool Cat filly and One Cool Family, a gelding by the same sire.

Both won with ease as did an Align-O'Sara filly from the John Sargent barn.

Vonusti was an impressive winner in one of the 950m open catchweight heats, scoring by three lengths from Back in Black with a further three lengths to Glamorous Girl.

Ginga Dude looked the big improver, finishing a long-head second to El Gitano, who had the better of the footing wide on the track late in the session.

Bear Heart beat Passchendaele and Celestial Star in a close three-way finish to the other 950m trial.

The 2-year-old heats were won by Lady Ivaline, a Duelled filly with the Rogerson stable and a Tale Of The Cat-Pilgrim colt with Peter McKay.