Cambridge Stud mare Jaarffi posted yet another stakes placing over the weekend, and trainer Lance Noble is hoping she can be rewarded for her consistency with an elusive black-type victory over summer.
The six-year-old daughter of Iffraaj finished third behind Qali Al Farrasha in the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe last Saturday, with Noble believing her wide alley played a significant factor.
“She went super, but the barrier draw (11) beat her,” Noble said. “From that barrier draw we had to go back with her and it was pretty hard for the horses to make up a lot of ground on Saturday. The track was perfect, but when it is a perfect track, the ones in front keep running and it makes it a little bit harder for the back markers. I think she ran the fastest last 400m and 200m, so you have got to be happy.”
It was Jaarffi’s fourth black-type placing, having also finished runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m), and Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m), and Noble is hoping she can strike in her next start in the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa next month.
“She is just so honest, it would be nice to crack one, but she is running well,” he said. “We have been patient with her the whole way through, so hopefully being patient might pay off.”
On the undercard at Pukekohe, stablemate Mollify continued her good run of form when winning the Franklin Long Roofing 2100.
It was her second win from four starts since returning to New Zealand earlier this year, and now Noble is setting his sights on some loftier targets.
“It was very pleasing, she looks promising,” he said. It was her first time over ground and once they can stay it opens up a few more doors. I am very pleased with the way she is going.
“She has come back and has just matured with an extra year on her. She is finding her forte, which is getting up over staying trips. Hopefully we can get her towards something like the Dunstan Stayers’ Final ($125,000, 2400m) on Boxing Day.”
Noble has quickly turned his attention to racing this week, where he will have a two-pronged attack at Te Aroha on Wednesday, courtesy of Kitten Heels in the Diprose Miller Maiden 1150 and Hot Card in the Diprose Miller Chartered Accountants 1150, while Group Two winner Habana and Frostfair will head to Ellerslie on Saturday.
“Kitten Heels has only had the one start for a nice third. She is going the right way and should run well again,” he said. “I thought Hot Card’s last start was good against some pretty strong company at Ellerslie. I am hopeful with those two and Te Aroha is a nice track.”
Noble is also upbeat about the chances of his Ellerslie contenders, particularly Habana in the Gr.3 Great Northern Challenge Stakes (1600m).
“It is set weights and penalties, so he drops quite a lot of weight with the conditions of the race,” he said. “I think he gets 55 kilos, which he hasn’t carried since he was probably a maiden.
“I am really happy with him. Things just haven’t gone quite to plan, but he hasn’t been too far away.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
