A trip north to Trentham next month is on the cards for Noble Knight following his victory at Wingatui on Boxing Day.
It was a return home of sorts for the son of Ghibellines, who was born just down the road at White Robe Lodge.
The six-year-old gelding took winning form into the race and trainer Sandy Cunningham was full of confidence until the rain arrived and they were met by a Heavy 10 track.
He had three previous starts on the surface for a placing, but Cunnigham went into the race with reserved expectations and was delighted to see her charge storm home late on the outside to win by half a length in the hands of jockey Samantha Wynne.
“It was a vey good run because it is not a track that is ideal for him, but Sam rode him lovely,” Cunningham said.
“I was reasonably confident until it rained. I think he is a better horse on top of the ground, but it gives you confidence going into a bigger race that if the weather changes you have still got half a chance.”
Nominated for the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham next month, Noble Knight has earned a trip north for his first tilt at stakes level, which will likely come in the Group 3 Trentham Stakes (2100m) at the Upper Hutt track on January 13.
“I will probably head up the week before (the Wellington Cup) for the Trentham Stakes,” Cunningham said.
“He is unknown over 3200m, so if the race is run to suit him, I think he will make the 3200m, but it is a nice 2100m race and I know he is good over 2000m.”
It will be Noble Knight's first trip across the Cook Strait, but Cunningham believes he will handle the trip well.
“He hasn't gone that far before. It is quite easy going down to Wingatui because they stay at White Robe Lodge where he was born. He likes going there because he can get in a paddock and stretch his legs,” she said.
“It was good to do that trip before he goes to Trentham because it gets their travel legs in. They have got to learn to travel.”
Cunningham is looking forward to next month and said she will make the most of racing her gelding at Group level.
“I haven't had a nice one for a wee while and it just shows that when you get them you have got to make the most of it,” she said.