KEY POINTS:
Lance Noble was quick to pass all the credit for Bellevue Lass' determined victory in the $50,000 Te Awamutu Cup at Waipa yesterday onto his stable staff.
The Cambridge-based trainer has been sick all week with the flu and had to leave his staff to put the winning
polish on Bellevue Lass.
"I've been sick and grumpy all week with the flu and the credit for this win must go to my stable staff as they've done all the work getting this mare ready to win," said Noble.
The extremely heavy track suited the 5-year-old who excelled in the footing to post a nose victory over Kenadaad with a further 1 1/4 lengths away to the topweight Baltaine third.
"It's hard trying to find black type races for a winter galloper, particularly a mare, and this win has helped improve her value as a broodmare," said Noble.
"She went a nice enough race in her last-start in the weight-for-age fillies and mares race at Tauranga when finishing seventh but the track wasn't heavy enough for her.
"Even though I have been very unwell this week I knew when the really bad weather arrived here in the Waikato that this mare would be tough to beat at Te Awamutu.
"All eyes now point to Christchurch and the Winter Cup and if she strikes similar footing at Riccarton she'll go a very bold race."
Bellevue Lass has been a consistent performer, scoring five wins and eight minor placings from 23 starts.
A proven wet tracker with a clear liking for the right-handed running at Te Awamutu, Bellevue Lass started a heavily supported second favourite in the 1600m feature.
Bellevue Lass has scored two wins and one minor placing from three starts on the course.
Noble has built a solid reputation as a trainer with an ability to deliver results for his owners, backed up by a 30-strong team in training.
Chris McNab may have only a small racing team competing at present, but punters should respect his strike rate.
McNab produced former Hong Kong galloper Dav And Ming to post a gallant long neck victory over the topweight Don't Ya Lovett and Floydeboy in the $25,000 Open Sprint. The 4-year-old underlined his fitness levels with an impressive trial victory at Cambridge on May 25 and paraded in good order.
There was a lot to admire in the performance recorded by Don't Ya Lovett, who unwound powerfully to finish second, and is on track for another profitable campaign for trainer Alan Sharrock.