Promising staying prospect White Noise (NZ) (El Roca) made the best possible start to his four-year-old spring campaign when he won first up over 1400m at Te Rapa.
The Andrew Forsman-trained galloper hadn’t been seen since completing his three-year-old campaign in April, a preparation that included four victories with two of those coming at stakes level including the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m).
Fitted for his opening task by two trials, including a win over 1200m at Avondale earlier in the month, the son of El Roca paraded in fine style on Saturday and raced up to his good looks with a fighting effort in the hands of apprentice Kelsey Hannan.
Hannan punched her charge forward from an outside barrier to assume control of the pace before settling into an even rhythm in front.
Tackled by Debee Zapower (NZ) (Power) on the home bend, the pair shot clear before White Noise rallied back at the 150m to reassume control as he held out a late charge from Macushla (NZ) (Dalghar) to record a long neck victory.
Forsman had been confident of a good performance and was quick to praise the efforts of Hannan who made full use of her 3kg apprentice allowance.
“He is a classy horse as it was a very good field today and the way the track has been playing, we weren’t sure how it would unfold,” he said.
“Fair play to Kelsey as she is riding well and after he began so well, she committed (to leading).
“She is very promising and there is plenty more to come from her.”
Forsman was undecided on where to next for White Noise but was buoyed to see him return so well from a tough three-year-old season.
“You never quite know how they will come back as he ran in some good races last season and you just want to see them come back to their better form as a four-year-old before you get too carried away,” he said.
“He seems to have done that and it was good to see how strong he was through the line, so hopefully he can go on to some better targets from here.”
Owned by a large syndicate that includes his breeders Mike Gatt and Matthew and Allan Fenwick, White Noise is out of the unraced Sir Percy mare White Nymph (NZ), the dam of useful stayer El Nymph (NZ) (El Roca).
He has now won five of his 13 starts and over $136,000 in prizemoney.
Video: White Noise wins first up at Te Rapa
