Andrew Noblet is hoping an arduous introduction to racing hasn’t taken its toll on Old Trieste as the two-year-old returns from a spell at Caulfield.
Old Trieste found his way to the Magic Millions Classic in January and after a short break, during which he was gelded, is set to reappear in the Taralye – Listen, Learn, Speak Plate (1100m) on Saturday.
Noblet said Old Trieste has been showing positive signs in preparation for a first-up run in which bookmakers rate him a $13 chance.
After a debut second to Prompt Return at Flemington in the spring, Old Trieste then raced right-handed at his next three runs to prepare for the Magic Millions.
He ran fourth behind Carriages at Ballarat on November 22 before venturing to the Gold Coast, running fourth on a soft track in the BJ McLachlan Stakes before finishing down the course in the Magic Millions.
Noblet said not a lot went right for Old Trieste when he got to the Gold Coast race.
“He got cast in his box on race morning but the vets cleared him to race,” Noblet said.
“Whether that had an effect on his performance, the wide gate or the long campaign, you just don’t know.
“He’s come back in good order, he’s been gelded since and is a lot better for that and I’m pretty happy with him.”
Noblet was satisfied with Old Trieste’s barrier trial when third at Cranbourne on heavy ground on Monday when the three placegetters dominated the finish.
With the Caulfield surface rated in the slow range on Thursday, Noblet is hoping the track is no worse than that.
He said Old Trieste wasn’t happy in the rain-affected going at Cranbourne but had come through the trial well and was bright after some light work on Thursday morning.
In-form apprentice Michael Dee takes the ride in the non-claiming race.
