While there was no black-type, connections of the Todd Blowes-trained Noble Boy could console themselves with the Group 1 prizemoney on offer after the son of Bon Hoffa dominated Saturday's $500,000 Newhaven Park Country Championships Final (1400m) at Randwick.
Beaten just once in seven starts, Noble Boy came with a well-timed finish under Hugh Bowman to defeat Lucciola Belle (Casino Prince) by one and three-quarter lengths with Bennelong Dancer (Master Of Design) a short neck back in third. (images Steve Hart)
His only defeat came when fourth in the Country Championships Qualifier at Goulburn, which forced his trainer to back the gelding up in the Muswellbrook wildcard race.
"Looking back now it might have been a blessing having two weeks from the wild card up to today. There were more things on paper for us than against us," Blowes said.
"For once I wasn't worried. Throwing the shoe there before the race wasn't ideal but I was pretty happy with the horse, the way he stood there, and Hughie just pushed all the right buttons and it opened up.
"He's a pretty cool calm customer. I wasn't too worried.
"It's unbelievable. It's a real wow factor. Hopefully, it's on to bigger and better things."
The win of Noble Boy was compensation of sorts for Bowness Stud's Bon Hoffa whose top-class son Don't Give A Dam ran into a rising star in Victorem in last year's Country Championships Final.
Bred and part-owned by Donna Smart, Noble Boy is the second foal and first to race out of the Manner Hill mare Lady Dignity.
No-one could accuse connections of not giving Lady Dignity her chance on the track.
A $12,000 Magic Millions Yearling, Lady Dignity started 44 times over five seasons with her moment of glory coming in a maiden at Dubbo at her 22nd start.
Dignity Lady has an unnamed 3yo filly by the Redoute's Choice stallion Supreme Class, a yearling filly by Bon Hoffa and a filly foal by Curata Storm. She was not covered last year.
