Racing: Noble grabs Windsor Park feature race at last

Viadana (1), ridden by Craig Grylls, just edges Chintz to win the Windsor Park Stud Japan NZ International Trophy at Tauranga Racecourse on Saturday. Photo/Andrew Warner

The 43rd edition of the Windsor Park Stud Japan NZ International Trophy produced an epic finish at the Tauranga Racecourse on Saturday.

The feature race of the Bayleys International Raceday was one for the ages. Top weight Viadana, with 59 kilos and champion jockey Craig Grylls on board, surged down the back straight on a late run to edge past Chintz by a head at the post.

It was a popular win for trainer Larry Noble from Matamata, who watched the same horse come second in the same race 12 months ago.

"She was beaten by a nose last year so to come back and win it this year is terrific," Noble said. "At the turn I thought she had hit the line okey but she had top weight so I didn't think she would quite get there because that is a lot of weight.

"She is very, very good and Craig is riding in top form. Good horses and good jockeys make my job pretty easy."

Noble loves bringing his horses over the Kaimais to compete at the Gate Pa course.

"Tauranga always has a great atmosphere with a lot of local support. The racing is always good quality and it is not too far from home."

Racing Tauranga president Roger Hills was thrilled with how the biggest day of the club's year had gone.

"It is by far our most important race day of the year. We have had wonderful fields and the (feature) race was probably the best version we have had of the trophy in the last four or five years. The standard of racing was absolutely fantastic and very difficult to pick. "Fashion in the Field is absolutely outstanding and we were delighted with the standard of entries." Hills was particularly pleased to see a syndicate of owners take out the trophy race. "You always like to see the best horses win and there is nothing like seeing the best horse in the field and a true champion win, even with carrying 7 kilos more than most of the others."

Hills will represent Racing Tauranga at the Nakayama racecourse in Japan for the reciprocal race on April 12.