Nuclear Affair once again asserted her brilliance when capturing the ninth running of the $1 million Seek Exercise Book Trophy feature last Saturday.
It was a performance that demonstrated the components of class and talent as Nuclear Affair, owned by Michros, trained by Gary Subratie and ridden by Robert Halledeen, outpaced her rivals in deep stretch to win the Open Allowance event by just under three lengths easing down. In doing so, Nuclear Affair became the first of this year’s three-year-old lot to win at the Open Allowance level.
After her victory in the 1,000 Guineas in April, Nuclear Affair was touted by her connections to become another Triple Crown winner, but unfortunately her progress was derailed.
The talented filly was beaten by A Thousand Stars in the Jamaica Oaks, then went on to finish sixth in the Jamaica Derby. She ran a better race in the St Leger, earning third spot.
If there were any doubts regarding her class, Nuclear Affair answered all questions with an electrifying run to beat older horses the first time of asking.
Sent off at odds of 11-1, Nuclear Affair broke well, stayed with the pace and went through at the half-mile to pick up the lead. After that it was a question of the margin by which the chestnut filly by Nuclear Wayne – Commandra Affair would win.
Force De Jour ran his usual good race to finish second, while the consistent Campesino, who was the 1-2 favourite, finished third as his final rattle in deep stretch was ineffective. The winning time was 1:18.1 minutes.
Owner Michael Bernard said that the win by his charge was expected. “Her performance was excellent. As a matter of fact, I have always said that she (Nuclear Affair) can do anything.
“About three days before the Jamaica Derby we weren’t going to start her because she was not well, but we put her in the race and she finished a creditable sixth after hitting the inside rails, so to me that showed she is a good horse.
“We were very confident in her chances coming into this race today (Saturday). “I knew that her stable companion Brawn was not going to match her as she always gets the better of him at exercise, so we knew that her chances of winning were very good, and she did win,” Bernard said.
Subratie was in seventh heaven with a wide grin on his face when the Complete Racing Guide spoke with him. He was jubilant as he exclaimed: “I am happy…I am elated with this victory. She had some issues going into the last part of the Classic races, but everything now is ok with her.
“She is a very talented horse and I believe she is one for the future. “ Nuclear Affair trained very good coming into the race and so we knew that she would run a very good race,” he said.