Noonan Waits On Invitation For Ortensia
- Monday, 23 November 2009 06:30
The mare sat just off the speed in Saturday's feature race in what was her first try at 1600m, and looked a winning chance in the straight, but she did not run out the journey, finishing sixth behind Sniper's Bullet.
"I was a little bit concerned after the race as she tried pretty hard and in those circumstances it takes a little bit out of them, but I am pleasantly surprised by the manner in which she has pulled up," said Noonan on Sport 927 on Monday.
"She had ever chance, a lovely run, came from a wide draw and she was on Sniper Bullet's back.
"She looked a a good chance on the corner but she really struggled the last 100m. She is probably not seasoned or tough enough yet to run the mile. She is probably not a natural miler and it just takes a bit of the ping out of her so I do not think we will be heading back there in a hurry," he said.
Noonan said the mare will concentrate on shorter races to 1400m in the future.
"She has got a real good turn of foot and obviously 1200m and off a fast pace she is right at her best, so that is what we will concentrate on," he said.
Noonan said that he would like to 'have a crack' at the $1.9 million, Group 1, Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on December 13, and that he would wait to see if Ortensia receives an invitation from the Hong Kong Jockey Club later in the week.
"I can understand where she would stand in the order of entry, but that race is always run off a quick pace and with a three week break between runs it would be ideal for her," he said.
If Ortensia is not invited to Hong Kong, Noonan said she may back up over 1200m in Saturday's $500,000 Group 2 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot.
Picture - Sportpix