The 2014 Keith Noud Handicap has drawn a strong field of sprinters and a number of the most talented gallopers in Brisbane are set to resume in the Listed event at Doomben on Saturday.
Benny’s Buttons will return to the races in the 2014 Keith Noud Handicap this weekend. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Benny’s Buttons finished a close second behind Better Than Ready in the 2013 edition of the Keith Noud Handicap and will have the opportunity to go one better after being included in the acceptances for the race.
The Refuse To Bend gelding was a consistent performer during his autumn and winter campaign in Brisbane and he finished second in the Gold Coast Stakes (1200m) at the Gold Coast on March 15, took out the Silky Smooth and Speedy Handicap (1200m) at Doomben on March 29, finished second in the Listed Hinkler Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm and third in the Listed Prime Minister’s Cup (1300m) at the Gold Coast on May 3 before he was sent to the spelling paddock after finishing second behind River Lad in the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben on May 17.
Kelso Wood is set to have two runners in the Keith Noud Handicap field after talented entire Into The Red was included in the nominations for the race.
Into The Red has shown plenty of talent since she made her racing debut in 2013, but she was unable to record a win during his 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival campaign that was highlighted by a second place finish in the Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1350m) at Doomben on May 17.
Someday was a previous stablemate of both Benny Button’s and Into The Red, but the Listed winner has now joined the stable of Tony Gollan and is set to make his debut for his new trainer in the Keith Noud Handicap.
The Falvelon gelding was given an opportunity at Group level in Sydney during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival, but failed to fire before he returned to winning form in the Listed Brisbane Handicap (1600m) at Doomben on December 14.
Someday was restricted to just one race start during the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, finishing fourth behind Temple Of Boom, Spirit Of Boom and Snitzerland in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on April 26, but has not been seen publically since he won a barrier trial at Doomben on May 13.
Excellantes will be having his third race start in the Keith Noud Handicap after he finished second behind Listen Son in the 2011 edition of the race and fifth behind Steel Zip in 2012.
The Robert Heathcote-trained gelding is now a seven-year-old, but he continues to be competitive at stakes level after he took out the Listed Ascot Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm on July 5 during his winter campaign.
New Kelly Schweida acquisition Soros is also set to return to the races in the Keith Noud Handicap, while Finishing Card will be racing for the first time since he finished fourth in the Powerade Handicap (1200m) in September.
