The full-brother of dual Group One-winning sprinter Slade Power secured his maiden victory at Happy Valley on Sunday.
The Richard Gibson-trained Nordic Warrior (by Dutch Art out of Girl Power), was bought by the Jockey Club for €450,000 (HK3.94 million) at the Arqana Deauville Yearling Sale in 2016 before being sold again at the Hong Kong International Sale for HK$6 million. Slade Power won the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and the July Cup at Newmarket in 2014.
The three-year-old finished second on debut in a Griffin race late last season, but had only been fair in his first two runs of this term.
That's one for the Hong Kong International Sale. European sprint ace Slade Power's 3yo full-brother Nordic Warrior opens his account under @mattLchadwixk. #HKRacing pic.twitter.com/oLZ4FNK6EX
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) October 28, 2018
However, he looked a different horse around the tight city circuit, hitting the line strongly to take out the Class Four Tsing Lung Tau Handicap (1,200m) at $12.
“It was a good win. Although it was his first time at Happy Valley we thought he had a good chance because he likes the easing surface,” Gibson said.
“I think he might be better over a mile, so he’s definitely got a future.”
Nordic Warrior was ridden by Matthew Chadwick, who is forming a nice little combination with Gibson this season.
From July 2012 to the end of last season, the two had joined forces for a winner just once, but in the past two months they have had three victories (and three placings) from 14 starts.
