Rebel Raider's Nonconformist Back on Track in Coongy

Mark Smith - Wednesday October 14

The Group III Neds Coongy Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on Wednesday changed compexion dramatically in the final 200 metres, as the leaders backed up it was Nonconformist and top-weight Harlem (GB) who settled down to fight the race out.

It looked as if Mark Zahra had timed his run to perfection on Harlem (Champs Elysees). However, Jordan Childs had enough in the tank on Nonconformist (Rebel Raider), and with a six kg pull in the weights, held the challenge of Harlem by a long-neck with a further three lengths back to Kiwia (Reset).

Nonconformist too strong in Coongy (Pat Scala/Racing Photos)

The Grahame Begg-trained Nonconformist has hit the board in his first seven starts before disappointing when seventh at his most recent start over 1700 metres at Caulfield.

“That was a good watch; he (Childs) gave him the perfect ride and presented at the right time. It’s just really good to get the horse back on track because he had a bit of a hiccup along the way, a lot of people bagged him, but this was the right race for him today,” Begg said.

Advertisement

“There are a couple of races for him at Flemington. I have in the back of my mind a race like the (Group 1) Cantala, give him a freshen-up and back to a mile.

“He certainly needed to win today to be able to do that and get his rating points up. We will see what happens.”

Winner of the Group II Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley, the 4yo gelded son of Rebel Raider advances his record to four wins one second and three thirds from nine starts with earnings of   $423,150.

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, both Nonconformist’s sire and dam are no longer with us.

Good Thinking died in January 2019. She has just one more foal, a 2yo colt by Master Of Design.

Victoria Derby and South Australian Derby winner Rebel Raider died suddenly at Wyndholm Park last October due to a ruptured aorta.

He covered 20 mares before his death. Eleven of those have already foaled.

Advertisment

Race Result - Coongy Cup Gr3 2000m

Caulfield Track: Good(4) Time: 2:03.75
1
Nonconformist
- 4g Rebel Raider (AUS) x Good Thinking (AUS) (Hold That Tiger (USA))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: Jordan Childs 55
2
0.4
Harlem
- 9g Champs Elysees (GB) x Casual (GB) (Nayef (USA))
Tnr: T Dabernig & B Hayes Rdr: M Zahra 61
3
3.4
Kiwia
- 7g Reset (AUS) x Single View (AUS) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: Archie Alexander Rdr: John Allen 59
4
3.5
Mongolian Marshal
- 6g High Chaparral (IRE) x Ardeche (NZ) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: S P Gower Rdr: Craig Williams 55
5
3.6
Django Freeman
- 5h Campanologist (USA) x Donna Lavinia (GER) (Acatenango (GER))
Tnr: Robert Hickmott Rdr: Jamie Kah 56.5
6
3.7
Al Galayel
- 7g Zoffany (IRE) x Glympse (IRE) (Spectrum (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: B Melham 59
7
4.2
Princess Jenni
- 5m High Chaparral (IRE) x Glitzabeel (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: D R Brideoake Rdr: Damian Lane 56
8
5.4
Cape Of Good Hope
- 5h Galileo (IRE) x Hveger (AUS) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: T Dabernig & B Hayes Rdr: W Pike 60.5
More Reading...
Lightning Strikes at The Valley
It didn't carry Black Type, but the $200,000 MVRC So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Moonee Valley was packed with intrigue and G1 winners with spring aspirations.
$750,000 Deep Field Colt a SW on Debut
Nearly all of the good colts and geldings by now pensioned sire Deep Field find their way to Hong Kong, but astute trainer Clinton McDonald was determined to keep Rosberg paying $750,000 for the colt at the Inglis Ready 2Race Sale last year and he was rewarded at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Barnstorming Performance As Baraqiel Wins G1 Moir Stakes
Off the back of his impressive last start Listed Norman Carlyon Stakes victory at the same track, Snitzel gelding Baraqiel had everyone talking, and rightfully so, as he justified the faith of his trainers, charging late to win the $750,000 Group 1 MVRC Moir Stakes (1000m) in the Bennett Racing silks.
El Roca Filly Wins G3 Gold Trail
Lollapalooza went into Saturday’s Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie as a maiden, but she came out of it as one of the leaders of her generation and the clear favourite for the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).
Rebel Raider's Nonconformist Blows Them Away in Alister Clark
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.
Front Runner Lindermann Wins Chelmsford Stakes
Capitalising on his outstanding second up form, Chris Waller’s Group 1-winning Lonhro gelding Lindermann held on to win the Group 2 ATC Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
G1 Shamus Award - Quintessa Wins Proisir Plate
The early spring has tended to bring the very best out of Quintessa, and that trend continued at Ellerslie on Saturday with a spectacular last-to-first performance at $36 odds in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate.
Nonconformist Blows Them Away in Blamey Stakes
Stable favourite Nonconformist completed a red-letter day for the Grahame Begg stable with a jaw-dropping performance in the Group II Tab Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Extremely Good Filly Wins G2 Furious for Myracehorse
There has always been a big boom on Extreme Choice filly Apocalyptic following her flashing second on debut last December and we finally saw her back at the races at Randwick on Saturday and it proved well worth the wait!
Alpha Sofie Wins Listed Atlantic Jewel
A decision to transfer talented Capitalist  filly Alpha Sofie from the Queensland stable of Jason Edwards to Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman in Victoria paid immediate dividends at Moonee Valley on Saturday when she charged home to win the $175,000 Listed MRC Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m).