Sir Nate wins 2017 Anuka Smoker Wellesley Stakes Listed NZ$50,000 at Trentham (NZ), 1000m.
Winning form prevailed in the first black-type race of the season for the two-year-olds, Sir Nate now two-for-two. He jumped greenly from the outside stall (seven) then settled third yet three wide before they reached the crossing.
At the top of the straight all seven runners had a winning chance but Sir Nate balanced and steadily went after the leader (Masque), collaring him at the 200m with jockey Masa Tanaka keeping him going to win by three-quarters of a length.
Little separated the next three home with King Louis, who raced very greenly to the 400m, making a promising run at them from the 300m yet was unable to haul in the winner, a nose ahead of Masque, who took over at the 300m and also stayed on well.
A further neck back was Queen Of The Air, who was handy enough at the 200m and held on for fourth.
