Nadaraja ready for Kosciuszko after Scone demolition jobs

Coming off a solid maiden win in his second career start at his home track two weeks earlier, Scone trainer Stephen Jones wanted the three-year-old gelding to show the world what he is capable of.

But even Jones was taken aback by the sheer dominance of his front-running win of near six lengths on September 7, after being sent out a $7.50 hope.

"I thought he'd win very impressively, but I didn't know it'd be that good. He was just in another race," Jones said.

"That was the icing on the cake. We wanted to see how good he is and make him a true contender for the race. I don't think he could have done it any better.

"They (SPC) were interested after he won his first start here, but after he won his second that put the icing on the cake. I said to the boys you decide for yourself, he'd been beaten and they said have a look at his next run and go from there. They had a look at his next two and that was game over.

"I thought all along (he was a Kosciuszko contender), his trials were great and he should be unbeaten. He ran off the track a bit when the jockey slapped him."

The handbrake was reapplied for Nadaraja's last Kosciuszko warm up at Scone on September 24, when he won by nearly three lengths with plenty in hand as a $1.70 favourite.

Before his romp at Scone Nadaraja was rated a $51 hope for the Kosciuszko, but has since been wound into $11.

IN OTHER NEWS

The SPC's rotten luck with Corowa horse Front Page continued on Thursday when he was scratched for the second straight year due to injury, just a day after he also drew the widest barrier.

They've enjoyed better luck with Nadaraja after he drew barrier two, which will give jockey Matthew Palmer plenty of options on a horse which likes to lead or settle near the pace.

"We were a bit kind to him last start. We were already in the race and were happy," Jones said.

"On the speed map they've got him in front but he doesn't have to lead.. It gives us the option to jump out and head straight to the rail and work it out from there. We won't gas him or anything.

"We've got the horse on the way up. They've been there and done that, and he's the improver.

"If we didn't start in the Kosciuszko we were racing him in a group race, so that gives you an indication of what we think of him."

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