Trainer Andrew Noblet knows he is saddling a longshot in a Stakes race at Caulfield, but he also knows there are positives for his runner.
Taunting will be having his second outing for Noblet when he lines up in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) on Saturday.
The rising eight-year-old started his career in Adelaide with Michael Hickmott and had a brief stint with Hickmott’s brother Robert, before transferring to the care of Noblet at Flemington.
With a rating of 95, Noblet said Taunting was sent to him as there was more opportunities in Victoria for a sprinter of his rating than in Adelaide at this time of year.
Under Saturday’s handicap conditions, Taunting carries 56.5kg, a drop from the 58kg he carried when first-up for Noblet when beaten 4-Âľ lengths in the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville on April 25.
That was Taunting’s first run in 12 months, although the gelding was a Listed winner at Morphettville earlier in that preparation, taking the City Of Marion Stakes.
One thing Noblet said that Taunting had in his favour on Saturday is a liking for soft ground and a good second-up record.
The track on Thursday was rated a Soft 7.
“He’s got a good second-up record, and I hope the rain stays around for another couple of days,” Noblet said.
“He wants all that going for him, but he’s got a high rating and he’s hard to place.
“We scratched him from Flemington the other day because the track would have been too firm for him, so hopefully he can run well.
“The 1100 (metres) will suit him, the damp track will suit him, and he’s in good order.”
What does not show on Taunting’s record is a jump-out at Flemington last Friday.
“He had a nice tick-over trial at Flemington, which you couldn’t see because it was that foggy,” Noblet said.
“But he trialled good and his work has been good, and I was happy with his first-up run.
“It wasn’t a suitable race at all, but we had to go somewhere and when he popped him out half-way up the straight, he died on his run a bit and didn’t lengthen on that firm ground.
“He’s a lovely old horse, genuine, and great to work with and hopefully he can pull out a couple of good runs before the end of winter.”
