Karaka trainer Lance Noble might be frustrated by the on-going Auckland lockdown, but can take solace from the fact his horses continue to perform well on the racetrack.
Noble has sent out six winners from his past 15 runners, despite not be able to be on-course himself on raceday, and that trend continued on Sunday when three-year-old filly Funny Girl (NZ) (Showcasing) ran out a ready winner over 1215m.
“She had won first-up on the synthetic and then in the Gold Trail (Gr.3, 1200m) I just don’t think she copped the off-track down there,” Noble said.
“We gave her a bit of time to get over the trip to Hastings and she was strong yesterday back on reasonable footing.”
A daughter of Showcasing, Funny Girl is likely to have a break now before being set for the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) on Karaka Million night, a race sponsored by Noble’s employers, Cambridge Stud.
“I don’t think she’d get a Guineas trip (1600m), and you’re a bit limited in options if they don’t go that far,” Noble said.
“We will back off her for a week and then make a plan backwards from Karaka Million night.”
Noble is pleased with in-form gallopers Ziegfeld and Marchand, who will take on stakes company at Matamata and Te Rapa respectively over the long weekend.
“Ziegfeld will run in the Soliloquy (Gr.3, 1400m) on Saturday and Marchand will head to the Sarten (Gr.2, 1400m) at Te Rapa on Monday,” he said.
“Ziegfeld has just kept stepping up and keeps winning. I think she has improved too. Once she saw Mustang Valley run past her, she saw her with the blinkers on and fought back and won. It is encouraging because she wants to win.
“The fact she won at Matamata last start is a plus, and she handles a bit of give if there is rain around.
“Marchand won his last start at Te Rapa on a bit of an off track but is a really nice horse going forward.”
