Nitro got his just reward for his consistency when he streeted his opposition in the Jim McGee Memorial Cup (1200m) at Kembla Grange.
The five-year-old had raced in terrific heart all the way through his preparation with a win and three close-up efforts to show for his previous five runs this time in.
Nitro had finished second at Kembla Grange on August 4 and Goulburn on August 20 before returning to his home track for his latest Class 2 assignment.
Jenny Duggan took over the reins aboard Nitro in the $22,000 event and the jockey made use of an inside gate to give the gelding a comfortable passage until halfway down the straight.
Duggan had enough horse underneath her to wait until the 250 metres to ask the son of Al Maher for an effort. Nitro responded quickly to end the race as a contest before sprinting clear over the concluding stages to score a comfortable 3-1/4 length victory.
Nitro joined the Paul Murray team earlier this year and has recorded two wins and two seconds from 10 starts for the trainer after starting his career with the Hawkes Racing operation.
Nitro’s dam Mahira is a half-sister to the stakes-placed mare Kensington Gardens, who is the dam of Group 1 winners Blackfriars and Larrocha as well as the sires Waterford Road and Manton.
Congratulations to Nitro’s owners – P C Holz, D Smith, Mrs K Hillard, R Hummel, P Farrell, J J Raschilla, M Ginnane, Ms M J Ritchie & P A Murray.
© MiStable 2012