Nautical sails home to land photo decision

Saturday 23 November 2013, 3:01pm

The Nikki Burke-trained Nautical enhanced an already consistent record in winning at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Going into the 1Print.com.au Handicap, Nautical hadn't missed a top-three placing in eight starts.

But she was able to double her win tally to two victories, despite Burke being less than confident about the coal-black mare's chances during the run.

"She never seemed to be able to get into a comfortable rhythm and third-up at the mile I thought she might have been vulnerable late and I actually thought she got beat," Burke said.

That was because Chiquada put in a storming run on the outside and it needed a photo to declare Nautical the winner.

Burke purchased Nautical for $10,000 and thought at the time she overpaid.

But the mare has proved her wrong with Saturday's win taking her earnings past $140,000.

In the Art Series Hotel Group Handicap (3000m) eight-year-old New Zealand-bred stayer Anudjawun notched just the second win in his career.

Anudjawun ($9) last won in May 2010 at Bendigo over 1400m.

Jockey Nikita McLean said Anudjawun was suited by the slow tempo of the race as he sat midfield.

"At the finishing post first time around I was thinking I would like to take off and lead but I thought he was better with a bit of chase," McLean said.

"At the 600 (metres) I was able to get out and get rolling."

Thubiaan ($6.50) threw out a brave challenge in the straight but a 4kg difference in the weights between himself and the winner told at the finish.

Anudjawun had enough left to win by a neck with Master's Degree ($20) third six lengths away.

– AAP

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