WELL bred harness racing mare Noels Girl proved that her first-up win in Hobart last week was no fluke by scoring an even more impressive victory at The TOTE Racing centre tonight (Sunday).
With her trainer Justin Campbell in the sulky, Noels Girl sat out side of the leader Breathing Fire for most of the 2200-mttre journey but made light of the task to go on and score comfortably from Breathing Fire with recent Eric Reece Memorial winner Dalmont Rose an eye-catching third.
Noels Girl ($20.40) was off the scene for just over four months before resuming with a win in Hobart in which she showed speed from the gate to lead and staved off all challengers to score well.
But this latest win was courageous as she had to work hard early to eventually work around the field to face the breeze.
Breathing Fire ($24.90) answered the challenge when Campbell released the reins at the top of the home straight but Noels Girl was too strong at the business end of the race.
Interstate invaded Renaissance Franco from the Dean Braun stable was sent out the long odds-on favourite ($1.40) and understandably so given the mare’s recent form that included wins at Geelong and split by a third at Cranbourne in which she led but was run down in the last few strides.
Campbell said Noels Girl had been a star track worker in recent weeks due to some minor gear changes and he expects her to continue to improve during this preparation.