It is not unusual for a trainer to say that a road trip has, or could, make a difference to the making of a galloper but while John Moloney is cautious to make any guarantees about Nation State in Adelaide on Saturday, he still confident in his early thoughts of the horse’s ability.
With two wins and two placings already on the board in six starts, the three-year-old son of All Too Hard takes on his toughest challenge yet in the Listed HC Nitschke Stakes (1400m) on the Morphettville Parks track.
Drawing barrier 12 on the tighter inside course, Moloney is open minded to the gelding’s chances from the start.
“He didn’t draw so flash but he’s not a bad beginner, Moloney said.
“I’m expecting that because he leaves the gates well, he should be ok, and on the Morphettville Parks track it is a bit tricky.”
Firming from $9 into $7.50, Nation State is on the fourth line of betting behind $4 race favourite Miss Aria, trained by Danny O’Brien.
The difference could be in jockey Todd Pannell’s experience as Moloney is keen to rely on that in riding the, as Moloney describes, a temperamental type.
A midweek chat between trainer and jockey firms Moloney’s want to send Nation State over the South Australian border.
“He ran third at Caulfield against the open-graders and was only beaten by a half-length so he is coming along well.
“He’ll keep maturing and a road trip won’t hurt him to make him a better horse.”