Nothing left to prove for crack mare Viadana

Lance Noble is happy to let his flagship performer Viadana decide her own destiny.

The Matamata trainer said the mare had more than exceeded all expectations on the track and her home track performance at the trials later this month will decide her future.

“She’ll have an outing on the 24th and she’ll tell us whether we’ve got time to get her ready for the Breeders’ Stakes at Te Aroha or if we’re chasing our tails.

“She had badly bruised soles when she got back from Australia and she’s taken an awfully long time to recover – basically they had to grow again.

“She doesn’t have to do any more and the owners and I had already decided this would be her last season.

“We’ll give her the opportunity at the trials to see where we’re at, but we’re all quite happy to retire her if that’s the case. She’s been a great horse and is a very valuable broodmare.”

A $25,000 Karaka purchase and raced by a syndicate managed by Noble’s wife Leigh, Viadana has three Group One titles to her credit – the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, the NRM Sprint and the Easter Handicap – with stake earnings in excess of $710,000.

Meanwhile, the stable has winning prospects at Te Aroha on Friday with the honest mare Marcelle sure to give another bold account of herself in the Baker Racing Stables 1600.

“She’s very genuine and last start she had to lead when nothing else went forward and she’s a better chaser,” Noble said

Beauty Giant reverts to the maiden grade in the Scott Wenn Racing 2200 after an unplaced run in the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas.

“He drew wide and had to go back in a slowly run race and the back markers had no chance,” Noble said.

Beauty Ace, who will debut in the Sunline Lodge 1000 has looked good at the trials while Pike Racing 1400 contender Wraithorth has trained on well since her narrow defeat at Te Teko.