Jake Noonan knows his opportunities in the city are limited so when they come he has to make the most of them.
Last Saturday at Randwick, Noonan did just that when he was successful aboard I Am Vinnie, who was his only ride at the meeting.
The 27 year-old’s chances are also scarce at home and Noonan has only had a handful of metropolitan rides in Victoria in recent months.
On Saturday at Flemington, Noonan will have three mounts – Hickok, Florent and Elite Legacy.
It is the first time he has had as many rides at a Saturday or public holiday city meeting since April 25 and his father, trainer Tony Noonan, will be supplying them.
“I’m not putting Jake on because he’s my son. He’s a bloody good jockey,” Tony Noonan said.
The Mornington trainer continually reinforces his belief to his son, adamant he can still transform into a big-name rider.
“I’ve seen it before so many times. Jockeys who worked with me at roughly the same time in their careers who have become household names are Nash Rawiller, Craig Williams, Brad Rawiller, Chris Symons and Dwayne Dunn,” Noonan said.
“All those jockeys took time to develop and they peaked when they were older.”
Noonan says it is an advantage having a jockey work for the stable, rather than swapping between the high-profile riders, and he believes his three horses will acquit themselves well at Flemington.
Hickok will resume in the Lexus Holiday Plate (1200m) after he finished ninth in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude in September.
“He’s a lightly-raced colt who has always shown ability,” Noonan said.
“We backed out of the Caulfield Guineas after he was beaten in the Prelude as he wasn’t good enough at that point of time.
“We can get him going now and see whether he can build his confidence over summer and if he can we might end up in the Australian Guineas.
“I don’t know whether the straight will suit but it’s a perfect race to kick off his campaign.”
Noonan believes four-year-old mare Florent is ready to return to form in the Merry Christmas VRC Members Plate (1600m).
“She’s been disadvantaged by outside draws and unsuitable tracks. Again she’s drawn out but she’s ready to run the best race of the preparation,” Noonan said.
“She’ll be competitive. This is a good time of the year for her to shine.
“I’ll try and win one or two city races then put her away for the Adelaide carnival.”
Noonan also believes his other runner, Elite Legacy, has a sneaky each-way chance in the G H Mumm Christmas Plate (1000m).
