Promising two-year-old Nordic Viking set for big debut at Royal Randwick

Trainer John Sargent says Nordic Viking can make an impression at Randwick after patiently waiting an extra two weeks for his debut.

Trainer John Sargent will be across the Tasman on the lookout for his next star when his latest youngster Nordic Viking gets the chance to deliver on his promise at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Sargent is back in his home country of New Zealand hunting for yearlings at the Karaka Yearling Sales but will be an eager observer from afar as Nordic Viking debuts in the The Agency Real Estate 2YO Open (1000m).

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Nordic Viking was meant to make his debut a fortnight earlier but a minor setback has forced Sargent to patiently await his first start.

“He knocked his leg and had a bit of skin off so I had to scratch him,” Sargent said.

“He was ready to go there at Wyong but is fit and well and has a nice draw.

“I would say he will hide away a bit back from the speed midfield and will hopefully be hitting the line.”

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Nordic Viking was snapped up for $250,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale last year and will be partnered by Sargent’s stable apprentice Molly Bourke on debut.

The son of two-time Cox Plate hero So You Think was been given three trials in preparation for his debut and finished alongside Golden Slipper favourite Wodeton in his most recent hit out over 799m at Warwick Farm on January 3.

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Strong 2YO trial here with an unraced Savabeel colt beating an unraced Golden Slipper fancy.

1st - Namaste (2c Savabeel x Alam Mo Na)
$525k buy for @BBakerRacing & @ClarkeBstock from @littleavondale at @KarakaChat Book 1

2nd - Wodeton (2c Wootton Bassett x Fiera Vista) for… pic.twitter.com/kYchncKhU9

— Breednet (@BreednetNews) January 3, 2025

“I thought he went through the line strongly,” Sargent said.

“When we asked him for a bit that last bit, he picked up through the line.

“They will run hard on Saturday and he is a nice horse, which I think 1200m would be better but it’s like going to another trial.

“I am happy with him.”

Nordic Viking is a $23 hope to break his maiden at the first time of asking where he will go up against another million dollar baby, $1.75m colt United States ($3.50 favourite).

Sargent will return to Australia early next week with Group 1 placed three-year-olds Powers Of Opal and China Sea both set to trial at Royal Randwick on Tuesday.

Originally published as Promising two-year-old Nordic Viking set for big debut at Royal Randwick