Swiftly Red proved too strong at Bendigo to notch the second win of her prep for Mornington-based trainer Tony Noonan in the Andy’s Earthmovers Handicap over 1400m.
Holding off a late challenge in the final 50m of the race, Swiftly Red held on by a head for connections at Laurel Oak Bloodstock who race a number of horses with Noonan with the partnership enjoying an excellent season together.
“I’ve got to give a lot of thanks to my foreman Viv Bertrand and Lisa Jones who manages our farm,” Noonan said.
“They have done a lot of work with the mare who has had muscle enzyme problems in the past and a lot of people have worked extremely hard and got a lot out of her.”
Swiftly Red, a 4-year-old Testa Rossa mare, was having the fifth run and second victory of her campaign but Noonan expects even more to come as the tracks begin softening as winter approaches.
Jockey Nick Hall returned to the saddle to partner Swiftly Red and maintained his perfect strike with two wins from two rides aboard to mare.
Jumping from barrier 1, Swiftly Red pinged out of the gates forcing Lilian to work hard in the early stages to find the lead.
Settling Swiftly Red in the run, Hall eventually gave up the lead but gave his mare the dream run in transit on the fence, one behind Lilian.
Peeling out at the top of the straight, Hall peeled out and balanced up Swiftly Red ($4.60) who was strong to the line to score by a head from Deeming ($6.00) and Ungreatful Ellen ($2.70) in third.
“I was happy to switch her over to the left and it really got her through the line,” Hall said.
Race Replay: R6 Bendigo 02 Apr 15
Article sourced from Tony Noonan Racing Website
