Mornington trainer Tony Noonan is excited by his prospects this spring as he builds an impressive team.
In addition to his star mare Ortensia, Noonan has Queensland Derby runner up Kutchinsky and import Buccellati heading towards the big races this spring.
Noonan told Sport 927 that Ortensia will have a light spring, with a defence of her Winterbottom Stakes title in Perth or a trip to Hong Kong possibilities.
Kutchinsky impressed many people with his runs in Brisbane.
He is still in Queensland, and may race in Sydney on his way to Melbourne.
Noonan believes that the Caulfield Cup will suit the Anabaa gelding perfectly.
Jetsetter Buccellati, formerly with Andrew Balding in England, has been in Australia for four months.
He had a spell in Queensland, and has been in work for close to three months.
“We’ve been terribly pleased with how he’s come along,” Noonan told Shane Anderson on Sport 927.
“He’s an amazing little horse, he’s not a big horse at all. Jim [Byrne] commented to me this morning that he was bouncing around like a three year old.”
“He may have some early races in Sydney, perhaps one or two runs, then come to Melbourne.”
Noonan says that Buccellati will be entered for the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup, and is unlikely to head to the Caulfield Cup.
Written by Andrew Hawkins
