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Trainer Tony Noonan confident Ortensia reaching peak for Doomben 10,000

25th May 2010

The Courier Mail - Nathan Exelby - Wednesday, 26 May 2010

TONY Noonan liked what he saw after supervising Ortensia's Doomben gallop on Tuesday morning and says punters can expect a more formidable mare this weekend.

Hugh Bowman partnered Ortensia, who worked with stablemate Hilton Head.

"Going into the BTC Sprint she just worked on her own leading into it and she only does as much as she has to, but this morning her work was good and solid," trainer Noonan said.

He conceded the 10,000 was a tougher race than the BTC Sprint, in which Ortensia ran fifth to Albert The Fat, but said she would be much improved by the run and would appreciate the extra 150m this time.

"It was only her second run back and she hadn't had a run for a month," he said.

"That really tightened her up and she will go into this race pretty well right. She has won at this distance here, so I think she gets to it at the right time."

Bowman is keen to make amends after missing Metal Bender's Doomben Cup win because of suspension and he concurred with Noonan's assessment.

"She was much more attuned to what was going on today," Bowman said.

"I thought the work was a bit stronger (than before the BTC Cup). She felt much more switched-on today.

"Having ridden her three times now, I've got a good feel for her and I'm getting to know her a lot better.

"With that knowledge, I might ride her a bit differently this time."

Both Noonan and Bowman said a wide barrier would be preferable so that Ortensia could enjoy plenty of galloping room.

Noonan's Queensland Derby hope Kutchinsky will most likely run in the Grand Prix on Saturday, rather than taking on older horses in the Premier's Cup.