Mixed Day At Caulfield For Jake Noonan
- Saturday, 03 December 2011 08:31
Jake NoonanApprentice Jake Noonan had mixed fortunes at Caulfield with the elation of a winning double tempered with a 11-meeting suspension.
Noonan, 18, scored an emotional win on Our Spirit's Bay for his father Tony in the Catanach's Jewellers Handicap (1200m) but his wayward ride on Alpha Proxima caused him to be charged with careless riding.
Noonan dedicated the win on Alpha Proxima to jockey Harry Hillier who died in October.
"He was a close friend," Noonan said.
Noonan pleaded guilty to shifting out inside the last 100 metres on the Alpha Proxima inconveniencing two other runners and he will be out after Tuesday's races and can return at Moonee Valley's night meeting on December 16.
His suspension follows two suspensions in one week in Sydney last month.
Last season's champion Victorian apprentice, Noonan said it had taken him time to adjust to race riding after being sidelined for six months after a fall in May.
"It's been a tough six months," he said.
"The race sense is getting there I just need to polish a couple of aspects.
"It could take another month. I won't be Damien Oliver overnight.
"I am just a bit rusty that's all."
Our Spirit's Bay was Noonan's first win on one of his father's team since his return to riding.
He said it was a big occasion for both father and son.
"Dad doesn't have the great team but we do the do the best with what we have," Noonan said.
"We work together pretty hard and especially with a mare like that (Our Spirit's Bay)."
Our Spirit's Bay is a former stakes placegetter in New Zealand and has had four starts for the Noonan stable.
Noonan's Caulfield double follows another winning double at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Fellow apprentice Katelyn Mallyon pleaded guilty to careless riding on Florets in the WAFEX Sovereign Plate (1400m).
She is also suspended for 11 meetings from Tuesday night and can resume riding at the Valley on December 16.
AAP
