Trainer Brad Widdup believes Nashville Jack has potential—but says the colt must prove it on race day if he’s to earn a spot in the spring carnival features.
The rising three-year-old resumes in Saturday’s Keeneland September Yearling Sale Handicap (1100m) at Randwick, and a strong showing could see him return to stakes grade.
“You always hold your breath and hope that’s right but you never know until you produce them and they come back,” Widdup said.
“Fingers crossed he can be a nice horse for us.”
Nashville Jack showed promise in his two starts as a juvenile, finishing fourth in the Silver Slipper (1100m) and a brave fifth in the Black Opal Stakes (1200m), despite a shoe slipping mid-race.
“He had a shoe slip back… it was half in his foot and half out,” Widdup said.
“He did a good job to finish as close as he did.”
By Golden Slipper winner Farnan, the colt has trialled strongly twice and will jump from gate two under Jason Collett.
“He’s a big, strong fellow and he’s very straightforward,” Widdup said.
“There is obviously improvement but he’s a nice athletic horse.”
He faces stiff competition from Pierro Plate winner Shaggy and promising filly Nazwah.