Noske books a spot in Stakes history

Man Booker continued a dominant run on the track, winning the $120,000 APH Contractors Bunbury Stakes (1400m) on Sunday at the Bunbury Turf Club.

The elite sprinter, trained by Daniel Morton, has now won three races on the trot in this campaign to take his career tally to seven wins from 13 starts.

It was always Man Booker’s to lose after starting the race as favourite, hitting the turn nicely in fourth and gliding down the straight thanks to a good ride by Jerry Noske.

Champion WA jockey William Pike rode Coming Back to an early lead and it looked as if he would take the win, but it appeared he put the foot on the pedal too early and had to settle for seventh, more than three lengths behind Noske and Man Booker.

Morton said he did not expect Pike would head to the front of the pack.

“But she (Noske) kept her cool,” he said.

Morton said Man Booker was a high class horse and he was pleased to see him return successfully from injury.

“The horse has been going super, his last win was very good,” he said. Morton said three weeks between runs was not ideal, but he was confident coming into Sunday’s big race.

“There is plenty of water to go under the bridge in that time, but the horse is going well and we were pretty confident,” he said.

Morton praised the efforts of Noske in the saddle.

“We said to her Bunbury has a big, long straight, so don’t get involved in a speed battle up forward,” he said.

Morton’s other Stakes chance, Red Ora ran fourth after a protest with Dream Lifter.

“They are two quality horses,” he said.