A six-year-old gelding, still only lightly raced yet a real stable favourite, is set to fly the Mudgee flag in Tuesday's feature race at Quirindi.
Noel's Gift, trained and part-owned by leading country horsewoman Gayna Williams, looks set to break a long drought in the John "Mouse" Sinclair (Race 6) over the mile.
Long time between drinks: Noel's Gift trainer and part-owner Gayna Williams.Credit:AAP
In fact, it's hard to believe you have to go back to December 12, 2017 – a Class 3 at Orange over 1600m – when the then five-year-old last won, but to say he hasn't paid his way or provided any number of thrills would be a gross understatement.
Who could forget his fighting second placing at home first-up at 100-1 in a Country Championship qualifier early in 2018 on a bog heavy 10 in almost zero visibility. That catapulted him into the Country Championship Final at Randwick, where he finished midfield behind high-class Victorem.
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And just for good measure, as if he can read a calendar backwards, Noel's Gift returned off a long break this autumn to run second again in his home qualifier, charging home at 60-1 to earn another berth in the big final at Randwick. This time he finished well down the field behind the all-conquering Noble Boy.
Since then, Noel's Gift has had two spaced runs: a close-up second in a Class 4 at Bathurst before right on the heels of the winner in third place three weeks ago in the stronger Gooree Cup at Mudgee.
That looks the right top-off race for the son of Zariz to finally return to the winner's stall, but seven-year-old Tamworth gelding Present Sense and four-year-old Newcastle stallion Surjin should ensure there is little room for error in Tuesday's battle.
Elsewhere on the card, WilRead More – Source
A six-year-old gelding, still only lightly raced yet a real stable favourite, is set to fly the Mudgee flag in Tuesday's feature race at Quirindi.
Noel's Gift, trained and part-owned by leading country horsewoman Gayna Williams, looks set to break a long drought in the John "Mouse" Sinclair (Race 6) over the mile.
Long time between drinks: Noel's Gift trainer and part-owner Gayna Williams.Credit:AAP
In fact, it's hard to believe you have to go back to December 12, 2017 – a Class 3 at Orange over 1600m – when the then five-year-old last won, but to say he hasn't paid his way or provided any number of thrills would be a gross understatement.
Who could forget his fighting second placing at home first-up at 100-1 in a Country Championship qualifier early in 2018 on a bog heavy 10 in almost zero visibility. That catapulted him into the Country Championship Final at Randwick, where he finished midfield behind high-class Victorem.
Advertisement
And just for good measure, as if he can read a calendar backwards, Noel's Gift returned off a long break this autumn to run second again in his home qualifier, charging home at 60-1 to earn another berth in the big final at Randwick. This time he finished well down the field behind the all-conquering Noble Boy.
Since then, Noel's Gift has had two spaced runs: a close-up second in a Class 4 at Bathurst before right on the heels of the winner in third place three weeks ago in the stronger Gooree Cup at Mudgee.
That looks the right top-off race for the son of Zariz to finally return to the winner's stall, but seven-year-old Tamworth gelding Present Sense and four-year-old Newcastle stallion Surjin should ensure there is little room for error in Tuesday's battle.
Elsewhere on the card, WilRead More – Source
