Nuclear Noon powers home in feature

NUCLEAR NOON exploded inside the final furlong of yesterday’s Millard Ziadie Memorial to overhaul Jason DaCosta’s pair EAGLE ONE and MADELYN’S SUNSHINE, whose tag-team tactics failed to unsettle Anthony Nunes’ runner, who won going away by three and a quarter lengths.

NUCLEAR NOON clocked 1:07.0 with Tevin Foster, enjoying the reduced distance after being run off his legs by speedy EMPEROROFTHECATS last time out in the Ash Wednesday Trophy at six and a half furlongs.

Nunes, second in the stakes standings behind DaCosta, took his weekend tally to five wins after notching a three-timer on Saturday. DaCosta, who also met three runners in the winners’ enclosure on Saturday, went winless yesterday.

MADELYN’S SUNSHINE left the gate flying with topweight 126lb, leading EAGLE ONE, who went in chase leaving the half-mile marker. NUCLEAR NOON made his bid three and a half furlongs out to straighten third in chase of the stablemates.

Kicking three-wide off the home turn, 4-5 favourite NUCLEAR NOON challenged the pair midway the stretch run was clearly going best entering the final furlong.

Nunes had earlier won the fifth event with 2-1 chance HA GOW SIU MEI, who made all the running from his stands’ side draw at five furlongs straight.

Former champion jockey Anthony Thomas opened and closed the nine-race card aboard HUNTER’S RIDGE and ROSE APPLE at four and five furlongs straight, respectively.

Racing continues at the weekend with Saturday-Sunday meets.