Nordic Pride teams up with apprentice in Riverina Cup at Wagga Wagga

The veteran gelding Nordic Pride ended a nine-race losing streak over a span of 15 months when he won a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Wagga Wagga Racecourse on July 24.

A winner of 8 of 35 career starts, Nordic Prince was ridden for the first time that day by apprentice jockey Alysha Warren, who began riding in April.

The burgeoning partnership is back in action in the minor Riverina Cup at 1 9/16 miles at Wagga Wagga on Saturday evening.

With the booking of Warren, who through Friday had won five races from 39 mounts, comes significant weight relief. Nordic Prince was scheduled to carry 136.6 pounds, but the weight is reduced to 127.8 because of the 21-year-old rider’s apprentice claim.

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Nordic Pride should be able to handle the distance of the Riverina Cup, having won at 1 7/8 miles in the past. He breaks from the outside post in a field of 14, which should not pose a significant problem, considering he runs from off the pace.

On July 24, Nordic Pride closed from fifth of 10 to win by a short head. The race is the longest of Warren’s five wins.

Nordic Pride was the 3-1 second choice in early betting on Friday behind 2-1 Leather Jacket Lew, who won a handicap at 1 1/2 miles at Wellington on July 31 to end a five-race losing streak. Leather Jacket Lew was a close second to Nordic Prince at Wagga Wagga on July 24.

Race conditions also suit Insider Trader, who was 9-2 on Friday. A winner of 6 of 44 starts, Insider Trader has been in good form in recent months, winning handicap at 1 7/16 miles and 1 5/16 miles in May and June. He has won at 1 ½ miles in the past.

Wagga Wagga has a seven-race program beginning at 10:36 p.m. Eastern or 7:36 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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