Promising Stayer Naval Commission Readies for First Metropolitan Test
As the Rosehill racing carnival heats up, all eyes are on the promising stayer, Naval Commission, as he prepares for his first metropolitan grade outing this Saturday. Despite not having a pedigree traditionally associated with stamina, the four-year-old gelding has been turning heads with his performances, leading trainer Ciaron Maher to believe he has the makings of a promising distance horse.
Maher, known for his expertise in handling stayers, notes that despite Naval Commission’s sire being the speedy Group 1 winner Merchant Navy, and his dam being a sprinting mare, the horse displays none of the characteristics of a typical sprinter. “If you see him and his demeanour, there’s nothing ‘sprinter’ about him,” Maher commented. “It’s more his demeanour and his action. There’s not a lot of ‘fast twitch’ about him, so I thought our only option was to stretch him out.”
“He’s still a big, raw horse and he is going to furnish again. Whatever he does now, you’d think he will only be better next year.”
The four-year-old has certainly proven his versatility, stringing together a hat-trick of wins over distances ranging from 1700 meters to 2200 meters. After finishing runner-up on resumption at Goulburn in March, Naval Commission has gone from strength to strength, with victories at Scone, Kensington, and Warwick Farm.
This Saturday, Naval Commission will face his toughest test yet, lining up in the Listed Stayer’s Cup over 2400 meters at Rosehill. Carrying just 52 kg, the gelding will be hoping to continue his rapid ascent through the grades. Maher believes the horse is thriving and that his best is yet to come.
With a talented 10-horse team representing Maher at Rosehill, and champion trainer Chris Waller also set to feature prominently with 28 runners across the 11-race program, the stage is set for an exciting day of racing action. Punters and enthusiasts alike will be keen to see if Naval Commission can cement his reputation as a promising stayer with a strong performance in the Stayer’s Cup.
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