Talented Japanese import Nishino Crescent ($1.16) won his maiden in impressive style on Monday, relishing the rise in trip to 2100-metres on the synthetic track at Ballarat. The gelded son of Satono Aladdin put the writing on the wall at his first Australian start a fortnight earlier, attacking the line from a long way back to finish runner-up at 1500-metres. Jockey Mitch Aitken rode a forward race on the four-year-old this time, taking luck out of the equation when settling a length from race-leader Yankee Banner ($31) on the outside. Aitken moved up to eyeball that runner at the 700-metre mark, with Yankee Banner quickly folding up, leaving the Dwyer runner all on his own out in front. Nishino Crescent was unchallenged from that moment, opening up a big lead in the home straight before easing down the last 100-metres, the winning margin posted at just under four lengths. Aitken won’t have many easier steers in his riding career, and he was full of praise post-race. “He was really good today, really pleased with his efforts”, the young jockey said. “He proved he was too good for that field today and I think he can go on with it now”.
Trainer Henry Dwyer is confident there’s plenty more to come from his talented newcomer, who wasn’t suited by being left out in front before the home turn. “He did a good job, he won quite easily in the end”, Dwyer said. “There’s a lot more to come with him once he meets some better opposition”.
“I just think this horse needs stimulation”, he said, indicating that his galloper will improve in stronger company, where he can really knuckle down and chase his rivals.
There was a big group of owners oncourse to witness the victory, with a solid round of applause for their horse as he crossed the finishing line.
Dwyer will keep Nishino Crescent at 2000-metres for his next start, looking for a soft-rated grass track in the coming weeks. The gelding now boasts a win and six placings from his eleven race starts.