The Grahame Begg-trained Nonconformist had a length and a quarter to make up on Adelaide Ace on their last run in the Group II Caulfield Autumn Classic but he did that and some in Friday night’s Group II Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley.
With Jordon Childs in the saddle, Nonconformist box seated third on the fence behind the leader Think 'N' Fly.
When Childs tried to angle out before the turn he was put back in his place by Jamie Kah on Diasonic.
But the three-year-old son of Rebel Raider was going much the better and when he found clear air in the straight he rushed passed the favourite Adelaide Ace (Savabeel) to win by three and a quarter lengths with Diasonic (Reset) a further one and a quarter lengths back in third.
The winner of successive races at Pakenham and Caulfield before his last start second, Nonconformist, who is still in his first preparation, advances his record to 3 wins, 1 second and 2 thirds from 6 starts with earnings of $288,650.
“He is a horse with a very bright future. He is doing everything right at present, he still has a few quirks but he just keeps improving and Grahame has done a fantastic job to get him this far in his first prep,” Childs said.
Begg said Nonconformist has earned a spell and will be back in about eight weeks.
“We think a lot of the horse and he has a great future ahead of him,” Begg said.
A homebred for the Henwood family, Nonconformist is the first foal of the Hold That Tiger mare Good Thinking who raced in the same colours as Nonconformist.
She won three races and placed at Flemington and Moonee Valley.
Sadly, neither Nonconformist’s sire and dam are no longer with us.
Good Thinking died in January 2019 and she has just one more foal, a colt by Master Of Design.
Victoria Derby and South Australian Derby, Rebel Raider has died suddenly at Wyndholm Park in Victoria last October due to a ruptured aorta.
He has covered 20 mares before his death.
Nonconformist becomes the fourth stakes-winner for the son of Reset.
