Noela’s Choice will start from the extreme outside of the 2015 Winter Stakes field, but trainer Peter Moody does not believe that the wide draw will be an issue for the promising mare in the Listed event at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow.
Noela’s Choice has recorded three wins during what has been a lengthy preparation that started at Moonee Valley on January 3 and she earnt a maiden start at black-type level when she scored an impressive victory over I’m In The Money and Orion Love in the TAB Place Multi (1600m) at Royal Randwick on July 11.
The Sebring mare will start from barrier 13 in the Winter Stakes, but Moody told Racing Ahead that is perfect for the rising five-year-old and he believes that she is a genuine winning chance in the $100,000 race.
“Noela’s Choice loves the mud and we are just chasing that bit of black type at the end of her prep.
“Back a furlong doesn’t suit, but she is rock-hard fit and the 13 alley is a massive benefit for her because she doesn’t like being in amongst them.
“She will be on the outside in ground that she loves and hopefully she can fall into a placing and get some black type.”
Moody’s other runner at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow will be the consistent Fifty Eight Facets, who has been included in the entries for the Ladbrokes.Com.Au Handicap (1500m).
Fifty-Eight Facets has performed well without winning in the McGrath Estate Agents Handicap (1250m) at Canterbury on June 10 and the TAB Place Multi Handicap (1400m) at Warwick Farm on July 1, but Moody admits that the Dane Shadow filly may not be able to handle the rain-affected track that is highly likely at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow.
“I’m just not convinced that she gets through the ground, but there wasn’t a lot of options, so I am going to have one more go and see if she can surprise me,” Moody said.
“She is in good shape and ready to win if she copes with the conditions.”
Noela’s Choice is currently available at 2015 Winter Stakes odds of $7.50 with Ladbrokes and she is on the fourth line of betting behind Two Blue ($4.20), You’ll Never ($5) and Haussmann ($6), while Fifty Eight Facets is available at a quote of $13 to record an upset victory in the Ladbrokes.com.au Handicap.