Prepared by Chris Waller, five year-old mare Noire (images Steve Hart) is somewhat of a late bloomer having not started racing until her three year-old season with a patient approach clearly now paying dividends.
A close last start second to her stable mate Invincibella (also owned by Star
Thoroughbreds) in the Group II ATC Sheraco Stakes, Noire was favourite for this
1500 metre contest with a step up in distance and return to good ground
expected to prove to her liking.She hit the line hard for Tommy Berry to win by a neck taking her overall record to an impressive seven wins and five placings from 15 starts with prizemoney in excess of $450,000.
The performance put her right into calculation for the Group I ATC Epsom Handicap next Saturday with bookmakers slashing her price for the feature 1600 metre handicap.
"It was a good run last start. She got bobbed out in a photo finish by one of Denise's other horses (Invincibella) so fortunately these owners got the spoils today," Waller said.
"It was a good, tough win. She's come from last, she came around the outside and finished off as you like to see.
"She is a five-year-old so she is certainly a latecomer. She has always showed us enough ability and hasn't been overraced. She is thriving."
A $135,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Star from the Highgrove Stud draft, Noire is a half-sister to stakes-placed Global Dream, Maraatib and Valoura and is the best of seven winners from good producer Valadon, a half-sister to Group II winners Timbourina and Media.
Valadon died in 2017 and her last foal is a Fastnet Rock two year-old filly that is entered for the Magic Millions 2YO's in Training Sale as Lot 182.
She
made $245,000 at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale when bought by
Chevaux Bloodstock, who are offering her at the breeze up sale..
Noire is the tenth stakes-winner for Newgate Farm's Foxwedge, who has developed into a reliable source of winners and quality stakes horses with three Group I winners in his tally of stakes-winners - Foxplay, Volpe Veloce and Urban Fox.
Noire is the tenth stakes-winner for Newgate Farm's Foxwedge, who has developed into a reliable source of winners and quality stakes horses with three Group I winners in his tally of stakes-winners - Foxplay, Volpe Veloce and Urban Fox.
He represents great value as a proven son of champion sire Fastnet Rock standing at a fee of $22,000.
