Six Win Saturday - No.4 Noverre Group 3 Honours

Noverre (3 c Savabeel - Magic Dancer, by Rip Van Winkle) raced into 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) calculations with a conclusive victory in the $90,000 War Decree Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m) on Saturday at Riccarton.

Providing the sixth stakes' win this season for record-breaking Champion Trainer Jamie Richards, Noverre had signalled intent when running the fastest last 600m (33.6) for second to race rival Field Of Gold (Starspangledbanner) in the 3YO 1400 metres on 2 October at Riccarton, and he turned the tables in no uncertain terms.

In a race that always appeared to be suiting him - sitting back patiently while pace impacted up front - Noverre came from ninth at the 600m and stormed between runners to win stylishly.

He got further ahead past the post, while providing a stellar precursor to the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) on the course in a fortnight (6 Nov.).

Tightened in betting to return $3.40 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB tote, Noverre ran 1600 metres in 1:35.8 on footing upgraded mid-programme to Good3.

“He was quite brilliant winning as he did,” Richards said. “I was really impressed with how he paraded. He looked nice and calm beforehand, was good in the barriers, and got into a nice position.

“Jason (Laking) let things unfold and I was really impressed with the way he weaved between runners and ran the mile really strongly.

“Jason knows the horse well and what he's capable of, as he's riding track work and giving us a hand. I'm thrilled we've been able to repay him with a stakes' winner, and we can all look forward to the 2000 Guineas.”

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud, owned by Te Akau 2020 Stallion Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). By the ultimate champion stallion Savabeel (Zabeel), the dam side of Noverre features super sire Galileo (Sadler's Wells), sire of Rip Van Winkle, with grand-dam Dazzling Belle being by Desert Sun (Green Desert), who sired winner of 13 Group 1 races Sunline.

Noverre is the first foal from Magic Dancer (Rip Van Winkle), who figured among the top echelon of two-year-olds when racing in 2014-15. As a two-year-old, Magic Dancer coasted home to win the Phoenix Park Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m).

“He's a very valuable colt and is now ($5.00) favourite for the 2000 Guineas,” Ellis said. “It's a special thrill for all the owners and all our team. What a fantastic job Sam (Bergerson) and Lydia (Truesdale) are doing with our horses based at Riccarton.

“Jason (Laking) did very well to ride the colt at the weight (56.5kg). He's a tall jockey that struggles with his weight and he's worked very hard to do it. We were thrilled with that. He got the colt into a good rhythm, showed plenty of aggression and he put in some sort of finish.

“It's never easy to win these lead-up races, but you had to be impressed by the manner in which  Noverre won and all going well, he could provide a good chance of becoming the seventh 2000 Guineas winner for Te Akau.”

Noverre was strapped by Sumeet Pillay.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz