Annabel Neasham has continued her excellent record in the Group 2 A D Hollindale Stakes with Numerian winning the transferred race at the Sunshine Coast.
For the second year running, the Sunshine Coast has hosted the 1800m weight-for-age race.
The Gold Coast course underwent a track reconstruction last year and returned in time for the Magic Millions meeting in January.
But following a subsequent meeting in March, the track was deemed unsuitable to race on and was given an extended break to consolidate.
Numerian’s win on Saturday was Neasham’s fourth in succession in the Hollindale after Zaaki completed three wins on end in 2021, 2022 and again last year.
Ridden by Victorian-based jockey Jamie Mott, Numerian ($31) scored by 1-½ lengths from Just Folk ($5) with the $3 betting app favourite Kovalica a short head away third.
Numerian was having his first start since running fourth in the Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) in January which followed a win over 2100m at Ascot on December 23.
Neasham praised the team in Melbourne where Numerian spent time with David Noonan being prepared for the Queensland Winter Carnival at Balnarring beach.
“He got through his trials being trained at the beach and the team down in Melbourne can take most of the credit for this,” Neasham said.
“He had a week in Sydney and had a trial there and he seems to love it up here.”
Neasham told Mott not to worry about the heavy track conditions as the gelding had run well on a very heavy track in the Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick in September 2022.
“I love this horse so much,” Neasham said.
“He’s just a beauty and I’m so happy for Teme Valley back in the UK because they were happy to give him one more prep.
“He’s obviously getting a bit older, but he ran really well in Perth and having a last prep up here and to start it off like that is fantastic.
“Qudos to Jamie Mott as well. He rode at Cranbourne last night and he’s come up to ride for me in the first race and then in this today.
“I’m just glad the trip was worthwhile for him.”
