Naval Destroyer on a mission to reboot spring campaign

A tough and sparingly raced five-year-old can reboot a spring campaign towards bigger targets when he tackles a competitive Benchmark 58 Handicap at Tuesday’s feature Wellington meeting.

Naval Destroyer, a son of Group 1 winner Merchant Navy in the Cameron Crockett yard at Scone, could even ignite a last-ditch bid to make the Dubbo Gold Cup field on September 29 if he puts this field away convincingly.And with blinkers going on for the first time, the weather might also do him a big favour. The surface should be rated a soft five, or possibly even firmer, after sunny weather over the past few days.

Racing heads to Wellington on Monday.Credit: Fairfax

Naval Destroyer, with only one win yet five placings from 10 starts, has always produced his best on firmer ground. That was evident when he floundered late resuming in a strong Class 2 Handicap at Dubbo three weeks ago, failing to finish off through very chopped up ground.

Drawn a little further out this time on a more reliable surface, and with more work behind him, Naval Destroyer can recapture the form that saw him beat some smart country maidens last preparation.

Naval Destroyer could be a part of a 1-2 late punch for the Crockett stable, with lightly raced six-year-old Taborca resuming in the penultimate BM 58 Handicap over 1100m.

A talented yet troubled galloper, Taborca has had only four runs since bolting in his maiden at Tamworth more than two years ago. He was off the scene for nearly 17 months before resuming with two average runs last December and into New Year.

He then went amiss again in a Class 1 at Scone in June, but ’two weeks ago, Taborca gave connections renewed hope when he blitzed a handy trial field in heavy ground by more than two lengths

Supplied by Racing NSW