Noel Nicholson may have narrowly missed securing a Classic victory with his excellent mare Charms Star (Per Incanto-Anniesstar by Zed) but the Canterbury breeder’s 2024 NZ Derby aspirations will have been buoyed after his 3YO gelding Snellen (Time Test- Perfect Vision by High Chaparral) scored an authoritative win over 1600m at Otaki on Thursday.
After an excellent second on debut at Trentham on 17 November the Johnno Benner and Hollie Wynyard (picture courtesy of race images) trained gelding started a short priced favourite at Otaki and never gave his backers any concern, drawing away over the closing stages in the manner of an emerging stayer. He holds a Derby nomination.
Charms Star finished runner up in her Classic season in both the NZ and Queensland Oaks, to Amarelinha and Duais respectively.
Snellen’s win continued a good week for Time Test, who had winners at Ascot Park last Saturday and at Ashburton on Wednesday.
Time Test has 24 yearlings catalogued for the NZB Karaka Book 2 Sale
