Noonan Warming To Stradbroke For Varenna Miss

Varenna Miss

Varenna Miss is not a certainty for the Stradbroke despite moving up the order of entry

A decision is expected either late today or tomorrow morning regarding Varenna Miss in the Stradbroke Handicap.

After her incredible victory from gate 18 in the QTC Cup she shot up the order of entry as well as the betting markets but as yet she’s far form a certainty.

One plus for her though is that she escaped a weight penalty after her win meaning if she did accept it would be with 51kg that she tackled the Group 1.

After the race trainer Tony Noonan seemed less than confident about a Stradbroke start saying the Winter Stakes was probably a more likely option.

“She will run in one or the other but not in both,” Noonan said.

Now though the $1 Million feature event may be enticing him, especially given she doesn’t move in weight.

“We found out she hasn’t got a penalty for last Saturday so that makes it (the Stradbroke) appealing again,” Noonan said.

“We need to give it a lot of thought.

“We will do a blood on her and just see how she comes through the next couple of days.

“Obviously backing up is not ideal, especially where she is at this stage of her career, but you don’t get many cracks at those sorts of races and to be in that position (with a light weight).

No horse has ever won the Stradbroke backing up from a QTC Cup win, however Noonan has gone closer than most.

In 2009 Ortensia managed to run home third following her QTC Cup victory the week before.

Varenna Miss is a different horse though and everyone is mindful that they don’t burn her out.

She’s raced just nine times in her career and recorded five victories.

Her win last week was arguably one of the best field she’s faced and given her bad barrier it’s probably worth even more than the length winning margin over Phelan Ready.

That was her second start following a first up win in Brisbane as well so there’s no doubt the horse is in career best form.

Varenna Miss has contested Group 1’s before, in fact on two occasions she’s been saddled up for the top level with a best result fourth to Eagle Falls in the Oakleigh Plate.

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