The 2015 Cape Guineas winner Noah From Goa atoned for his defeat on debut in Singapore by scoring a resounding all-the-way victory that was a truer reflection of his potential in the $125,000 Better Than Ever 2010 Stakes, a Kranji Stakes A race over 1800m on Sunday.
Nooresh Juglall steers Noah From Goa to a smart win (Pic – Singapore Turf Club)
Writing on the Singapore Turf Club website, Michael Lee says that Noah From Goa was launched over a similar Kranji Stakes A race, but over 1200m at his Singapore debut five weeks ago.
Donning blinkers on that day, the Tiger Ridge six-year-old was like a fish out of water, not to mention he got galloped on and returned with cuts to his near-fore.
A first-up defeat from a much-hyped galloper is always hard to grapple with, but trainer Ricardo Le Grange copped it on the chin, and to his credit, did not dwell on it, confident in his horse’s ability to bounce back.
The South African handler did away with the headgear second-up, and also stretched the chestnut out to a more suitable trip. Chuck in a rousing barrier trial win (August 2) in between, and the machine was ready to rumble.
That he did in brilliant fashion on Sunday, under the guidance of Nooresh Juglall. The Mauritian jockey, who was also aboard at his first Kranji outing, did not hold back when he noticed the other seven runners’ reluctance to go forward.
From the moment Noah From Goa took charge, it became increasingly clear they would be hard-pressed to run him down in the home straight.
The former Mike de Kock protégé never weakened, ambling away to a most impressive 1 ¼-length win from Makanani with Song To The Moon third another neck away. The winning time was 1min 49.49secs for the 1800m on the Long Course.
A R325 00 National 2yo Sale purchase, the Wilgerbosdrift Stud-bred Noah From Goa is a son of the ill-fated Tiger Ridge out of the five-time winning Fort Wood mare, Limerick.
The National 2yo Sale will be held on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 August.
Read the in-depth interview with Ricardo La Grange this coming weekend in the Sporting Post
