NAAFER (AUS), had dual Gr1 winner Bull Valley and multiple Horse Of The Year Legal Eagle behind him when he skated to victory in a Pinnacle Plate over 1160m at Turffontein on Thursday.

Admittedly, the pair of accomplished rivals came off lengthy periods of rest, but Sheikh Hamdan’s three-year old will have top quality reflected in his form all the same. He won the race in easy style, franked the GR1 Nursery win of stablemate Mustaaqeem and looks ready for a cracking season.

Naafer, quality win.

Jockey Anthony Delpech noted:  “There wasn’t going to be a lot of pace on the outside rail so I suggested to Mathew that we let Naafer stride along instead of holding him up for a late run. He relaxed and showed plenty of pace throughout to win, he’s a smart horse.

“When I rode Naafer twice before he was so full of himself I had to hack him to the start sideways. This time he just strode down beautifully and quiet and I knew he’d run well.”

Mathew de Kock said: “He has as better attitude now that he’s a bit older. He seems to have learnt it’s not necessary to put up a fight all the time.”

Naafer is by Lohnro from a mare by Exceed and Excel and he’s won two of six, with more to come!