Nuclear Affair upsets in Seek Trophy feature

This year's 1000 Guineas winner NUCLEAR AFFAIR turned in a smashing performance to win the ninth running of the Seek Exercise Book Back to School Trophy open allowance feature over 1300 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday, this as an 11-1 outsider.

Ridden by Robert Halledeen for trainer Gary Subratie who previously won the race with the American filly RONRON in 2008, NUCLEAR AFFAIR raced close from early before flashing past the leaders FORCE DE JOUR and HOLOGRAM SHADOW at the half mile.

She turned for home two lengths clear of the 56-1 outsider FORCE THE JOUR, keeping on strongly to beat him by 2-1/2 lengths, covering the distance in the good time of 1:18.2 behind splits of 23.0, 46.0 for the half mile and a brisk 1:10.3 for the first 1200 metres.

Big disappointment was the performance of the howling 1-2 favourite CAMPESINO, who could only manage third, beaten five lengths in the 11-horse field. He improved his position to be in with a chance on the outside leaving the furlong pole, but failed to find extra in the closing stages and was well held by the first two.

impressive fashion

NUCLEAR AFFAIR is a 3-y-o chestnut filly by Nuclear Wayne out of Commandra Affair, owned and bred by Michael Bernard (Michros).

After winning the fillies Guineas in impressive fashion back in April, she was surprisingly beaten by A THOUSAND STARS in the Oaks three weeks later, and also flopped in the Derby and St. Leger. But Subratie said she had issues after the Oaks (colic, etc.) and had to fight her way back to good health.

"I was upbeat about the chances of Nuclear Affair and my other runner in the race Brawn, who though highly fancied (5-2) ran a rare bad race but the filly had pleased me in her preparation and was the fresher horse coming into the race.

"She delivered big time and I am happy that she's back on song, as she's a talented filly," said Subratie was quick to add that her major objective is the $13.5 million Diamond Mile on December 10. Halledeen had a second winner on the card in 6-5 favourite BAY COMMANDER, who romped the sixth race over a mile for the Seek Customer Trophy, on a day when six favourites obliged.