Mick Price has confirmed that Nordic Empire will make the trip to Adelaide for the 2015 Redelva Stakes this weekend and could be having his final race start as a colt in the Listed event.
Nordic Empire will have the chance to record a black type win in the Redelva Stakes this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
Nordic Empire returned to racing with a narrow win as a short priced favourite in a heat of the Jeep 55 Second Challenge (955m) at Moonee Valley on February 20, but he failed to fire when given an opportunity at Listed level in the Bob Hoysted Handicap (1000m) at Flemington on March 7 and he was beaten as favourite when fifth behind Nicoscene in the Jeep Plate (1200m) at Moonee Valley on March 27.
Price told Racing Ahead that Nordic Empire would be given another opportunity at Listed level in the Redelva Stakes this weekend and he indicated that the Wilander colt could undergo a gelding procedure if he does not perform well in the $80,000 race or turn around his aggressive temperament.
“He is going to Adelaide,” Price said.
“He is coming off an average run the other day and there is a bit of a query over how genuine he is now as an entire.
“I would love to see him draw out, he needs a bit of room, a solid run race and look for him to be finishing off.
“He is a bit tricky at the moment just with his temperament and being an entire, so we will see how he goes at Morphettville.”
The 2015 Redelva Stakes field was released earlier this morning and Nordic Empire is set to face a capacity field of 15 rivals in the Listed event.
Leading South Australian trainer Lloyd Kennewell will hold the strongest hand in the Redelva Stakes nominations after including Deiheros, Get The Nod and Silent Whisper in the entries for the race.
Get The Nod has not been seen at the races since he finished 12th in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on September 13, but he stamped himself as a horse to follow when he took out the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) at the start of his spring preparation.
Deiheros will be returning to the races for the first time since his memorable victory in the Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 10, while Silent Whisper will be returning to Group level for the first time since he finished towards the tail of the field in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on September 26.
