Collett Says Nonu's Mental Strength Key To Breeders' Prospects
It’s half the battle won for a two-year-old if they can mentally cope with the race day experience and jockey Jason Collett is confident that’s something Nonu (NZ) (Anamoe) will do at Randwick on Saturday.
The son of champion Anamoe was one of the stars of the official trials last week and Collett said how he conducted himself is a good sign going into the Group 3 $150,000 Arrowfield Breeders’ Plate (1000m).
“You want them to handle the occasion well, that’s a good starting point and he did that,’’ Collett said.
“It’s everything from the journey there to how they are in the birdcage, you obviously want them to trial good as well.
“He’s up in behind so he still has more growing to do, so for him to be here and producing it says there’s raw ability there.”
Nonu, ran the second fastest time of the 850m heats for the colts and geldings in scoring a 3-1/2 length win in his trial.
Collett is pleased to have drawn a comfortable barrier with the Bjorn Baker-trained colt which he says gives him options to see how the early part of the race plays out.
“He’s very raw, unassuming, a lovely type of horse and I just like that he was in front, not knowing what he was doing, and his ears were pricked,’’ he said.
“I gave him a click up at the 150m and he responded but the part I like is there was still more to come.”
Bred by Wentwood Grange, Nonu was offered through their draft at the 2026 NZB Yearling Sales, where he was purchased by Bjorn Baker Racing for $600,000. The colt is the first foal of stakes winning Pride Of Dubai mare Easifarc.
