The margin was narrow, and he had to survive a protest, but Nobler stamped himself as a horse of the future with his third successive win at Rosehill.
The former Irish gelding, who made his local debut in March, has now put together a hat-trick of victories after adding Saturday’s Ranvet Handicap (2000m) to his mile wins at Randwick and Gosford.
Accelerating quickly halfway up the straight, the $2.90 favourite had enough in the tank to stave off the flying King Pedro ($4.40) by a nose with Perfect Play ($7.50) 1-1/2 lengths away third.
The runner-up’s apprentice jockey, Anna Roper, fired in a protest against Siena Grima aboard the winner, alleging interference near the 200m after King Pedro had to change course when a gap to the inside of Nobler closed.
However, stewards were quick to dismiss the objection, presiding stipe Tom Moxon telling Roper that while a narrow opening did appear, it closed before she could fully establish her running and the shift came from the horse to her inside, Skycatcher.
Representing winning trainer Chris Waller, Darren Beadman said Nobler had impressed the team since arriving in Sydney and could feature in better races next preparation.
“He’s acclimatised well since he has come over here,” Beadman said.
“I think he could make his presence felt at the back end of our spring carnival, so now is probably a good time to tip him out and get him ready for something a little bit better.
“He’s certainly taken it all before him since he has come up to Sydney. He’s an athletic horse, a very clean-winded horse. Impressive.”
While Nobler clung to victory at his first attempt over a middle-distance on Saturday, Beadman was adamant he had the make-up to stretch further in time.
He was also impressed by what he saw from stable apprentice Grima, and said the decision she made to be patient on Nobler before the corner, rather than ride for luck, was crucial.
“She had a choice at the 600, that was the difference between winning and losing,” Beadman said.
“She got the horse out into clear spaces and let him go through his gears.”
Grima brought up a running double for the stable when successful aboard Surf’s Up in the Petaluma Handicap (1400m).
