Money came late for Chris Waller’s five-year old at Rosehill on Saturday, and Noire certainly didn’t disappoint.
The Shannon Stakes (1500m) winner made up ground to storm down the outside and win by half a length over race-leader Kingsguard, while fellow stablemate Youngstar struggled to find position running a disappointing third.
Noire, above, salutes in the Group 2 Shannon Stakes at Rosehill. Photo Credit: Steve Hart.
The run was pretty to watch, but one jockey Tommy Berry wasn’t overly happy with.
“I’ve got to admit, it wasn’t my best ride after a couple of one-hundred meters,” Berry said after the race.
“I think I made up my mind to go back on her too early, I could have been a couple of pairs closer which would have made the job easier for her, but she overcame an average ride and still got the job done.”
Second-up runs have become a specialty for the promising mare. Saturday’s win marked her seventh career victory, but even with the $1 million Epsom Handicap (1600m) seeming the likely landing spot in a fortnight’s time, Waller wasn’t giving anything away.
“It was a good tough win, she’s came from last and came round the outside as you like to see a horse finish off, she’s very strong on the line” Waller said following Saturday’s win.
“She’s certainly a late-comer, always shown us enough ability, hasn’t been over-raced, and she’s thriving.”
Quietly ridden by jockey Tommy Berry, Noire switched off and sat well off the pace toward’s the rear of the field after jumping from barrier 5. Her devastating turn of foot was on full display down the straight, racing from dead last to attack the line hard.
Noire firmed into the late $3.50 favourite over Youngstar right before entering the barriers. Likewise, Waller’s winner has also firmed from a whopping $61 into $34 ahead of the Epsom with Ladbrokes.com.au.
As for Youngstar, the four-year old still looks set to feature in October’s $5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) despite her disappointing second-up run.
“She went to Queensland and won the Oaks, then backed up in Queensland to win the Derby” Waller told Sky Racing prior to Saturday’s race.
“I don’t like to over-race the four-year old mares, they’ve just turned four, and probably by their birthday they are still only three. One more, and it’ll probably be in the Turnbull against Winx, and then to the Caulfield Cup.”
Full Epsom odds can be seen below.
