Toowoomba trainer Michael Nolan continued his luck with star apprentice Tim Bell when the pair combined to win the Ipswich Mile with Gold Rating.
Gold Rating maintained his unbeaten record this campaign, overcoming a wide passage to down Ausworld by a short head with Shooting Scene a further 1-3/4 lengths way third in the opening race of Saturday’s Ipswich Cup meeting.
Nolan has a big opinion of the Tamworth-based Bell who is currently weighing up his riding future.
Bell is apprenticed to Tamworth trainer Sue Grills who won’t stand in his way if he decides to move to a more prominent stable.
Bell is considering a number of offers to move to Brisbane, Sydney and possibly Melbourne but is in no rush to make a decision.
Nolan has used Bell with great success since he decided to base himself in Brisbane for the winter carnival.
“I’ve had a lot of luck with Tim,” Nolan said.
“I really like him as a rider and he can ride light. I’ve used him quite a few times of late and he’s been successful.”
Nolan has no plans in store for Gold Rating who surprised him with his first-up win on his home track on June 4.
“He’s never won first-up in his life and the Toowoomba win was a real surprise,” Nolan said.
“He’s a good tough horse who can stay and we were fairly confident with him today.
“But I couldn’t believe the wide run he had but he kept fighting to the end.”
Bell said Gold Rating, who took his record to seven wins from 24 starts, had had enough on the line.
“He knocked up a little bit towards the end,” Bell said.
“He was always travelling well but I had to make a split-second decision to put the favourite (Side To Side) in a pocket which enabled him to win.”
AAP TURF