Racing: Noir D'Ore in with a good shout

A bigger track, a longer distance and more give in the track bring the Tommy Beckett trained Noir D'Ore into contention for the main race at Phar Lap Raceway in Timaru on Sunday.

It would pay to forget how Noir D'Ore went around at Waimate last start. In a packed field, he was twice held up in the short run home before running into fourth place.

The likelihood of a soft track would also be suitable for Noir D'Ore in the Dennison's Joinery Open.

The Ebony Grosve 4-year-old has had 19 starts for three wins and seven placings worth $22,000. He loves to get up handy and mix it which are the tactics often required to win at Timaru.

Noir D'Ore is nominated for the Kelt Capital Stakes and the Winter Cup at Riccarton and would need to win a race or two in order to be competitive in such company.

His stablemate Fly The Coup is far from a forlorn hope in the same race at Timaru after being hampered at the start at Oamaru.

Trained by Michael Pitman, who is well clear in second place on the national trainers' list, Flying Coup looks well placed. He has won five of 31 starts, earning $58,650 in stakes.

Out Of The Blue could be an improver for Foxton trainer Heather Weller while Imhappyaboutthat is also in with a shout.

- NZPA