Royal glory beckons for Noseda
Last year the Newmarket based trainer struck twice at the famous five-day meeting with Proclamation and La Chunga both scoring Their respective triumphs took his overall tally of winners at the Royal fixture to four.
But it will be something of a surprise if he hasn’t added to that figure by the time the final race, the Queen Alexandra Stakes, is run late next Saturday afternoon.
For starters, during tomorrow's opening six-race card, Noseda will saddle his Boylesports Irish 2000 Guineas hero Araafa in the St James’s Palace Stakes – and the colt is a worthy favourite.
The son of Mull Of Kintyre, conqueror of George Washington at the Curragh last month, had his final serious spin prior to Ascot on Saturday morning.
His work-out went well and Noseda is happy with the Classic winner ahead of the Group One-contest, staged over a mile.
He said: “I feel Araafa is approaching the race in tip-top shape. Personally, I think he handles all ground conditions – his form bears that out. Now all we want for him is normal luck in running.”
On Wednesday, Noseda has an intriguing runner in the Jersey Stakes in the shape of Secret World, an impressive winner, on his only start, of the first division of the Wood Ditton Maiden at Newmarket in April.
The son of Spinning World has long been held in high esteem by his handler and has been the subject of several favourable gallops’ reports in recent weeks.
Noseda said: “I think this horse has enormous potential. We were very tempted to run him in the St James’s Palace but have decided to go for the Group Three, rather than stepping straight into Group One company. I do feel he possesses plenty of speed and ground and trip shouldn’t be an issue.”
Noseda also trained the winner of the second division of the Wood Ditton, Petrovich, who must rank as a key contender in Thursday’s mile-and-a-quarter Listed Hampton Court Stakes.
A Giant’s Causeway colt, he quickened up in flying fashion to make his mark on debut under Kieren Fallon.
His trainer said: “He is a talented individual. I would have loved him to have had another run since that maiden victory but it hasn’t been possible.
“He has worked well in the build-up to Ascot and will be suited by the mile and a quarter trip and we are looking for him to run a very solid race.”
Friday sees the reappearance of Vague in the Group One Coronation Stakes. She appeared a real star when taking the UAE 1000 Guineas back in February but sustained an injury in the race that kept her on the sidelines in the early part of the turf season.
Since her return from Dubai, the aim has been to get her back in time for the Coronation, a race Noseda feels she is entitled to line up in.
He said: “She is a tough filly, who tries very hard and has improved from two to three. She has worked well in the build-up to the Coronation Stakes.
“I would have loved a couple more weeks to prepare her but I feel she will be suited by a mile, suited by the ground and is worth her place in the contest.”
