Trainer Tony Noonan gave his jockey son Jake a football-style rev-up before going out to win The VOBIS Sires Guineas at Caulfield.
The coaching style talk paid off with Florent scoring a long shot victory in Saturday’s 1600m race for three-year-olds.
In an all fillies finish, Florent ($51) scored by a long neck from Leale ($31) with the $3.40 favourite Affair To Remember an unlucky third, a half length away.
Noonan said Saturday’s $427,500 race had been a long range target for Florent and the trainer went into the race confident, despite finishing fifth in an easier race at Geelong on Wednesday..
“We went an unusual way and ran her on Wednesday and she ran really well there,” Noonan said.
“We were quietly confident today and I won’t be the only one with a smile on my face, there’s a few there, especially the owners.”
Noonan told his son to lift his game before partnering Florent saying a couple of earlier rides had not been his best.
“I said that this is one we really need,” Noonan said.
“It was an old footy coach rev-up when he came out, I said I want a really good ride here.
“He just had it in the box seat, it’s amazing what good draws can do.
“She drew well, got into a good forward position and you wanted to be on her a long way out.”
Noonan jr said Florent was a quality filly still on the way up.
“She was only beaten three lengths by the favourite at her first start and we still had a lot of improvement to come,” he said.
“She’s a nice filly going forward and will improve on everything she’s done so far.”
