Here's One for the True Believers - or Eternal Optimists

Mark Smith - Sunday April 7

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.

Advertisment
More Reading...
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Bons Away Claims Adams Stakes
Linda Meech scraped the paint every inch of the 1200 metres on Bons Away in Saturday’s Listed WJ Adams Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield and it proved the deciding factor.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
Locally Sold Fillies Dominate Adelaide Classic
The Adelaide Yearling Sale received the best possible boost on the eve of the 2019 auction with a pair of fillies purchased from last year's auction dominating today's $200,000 Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic (1200m) at Morphettville.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.