Noble is the private trainer for Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay and their familiar colours will be aboard two runners in Saturday’s gavelouse.com-sponsored feature at Riccarton, each genuine hopes.
Bavella (Snitzel) will be by far the more favoured of the pair after two luckless outings this season, but Avadane (NZ) (Savabeel) is a progressive type and booked her passage south with a last-start defeat of her elders.
Bavella
“It’s great to have two fillies in form in a Group 1 race,” Noble said. “This is what Brendan and Jo and Cambridge Stud strive for every year.
“They want their fillies to be competitive in Group races and then long-term enhance the broodmare band.”
“They want their fillies to be competitive in Group races and then long-term enhance the broodmare band.” – Lance Noble
Bavella has already done that with a victory in the Listed Splice S. as a 2-year-old, but she promises much more and has been beaten by the barest of margins in her two lead-up runs to the Guineas.
She was forced to work hard from a wide gate when just tipped out in the G3 Gold Trail S. at Hastings. The filly was then awkwardly away and held up at the top of the straight when nailed on the post by her unbeaten race rival Travelling Light (El Roca) in the G3 Soliloquy S. at Ellerslie.
“Both fillies travelled down to Riccarton well and I’m happy with the both of them,” Noble said. “Bavella is right at the top of her game and she’s out of a Zabeel mare so we think she’ll get the mile.
“She’s got a lot of speed and can accelerate quickly. Hopefully, we can hold her up and time her run. She doesn’t have to improve much to be right in it.
“I can’t have her any better. She’s had a nice preparation and she’s third-up – she’s very well and ready to go.”
“I can’t have her any better. She’s had a nice preparation and she’s third-up – she’s very well and ready to go.” – Lance Noble
Bavella’s mother Zonza (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) won five races up to 2000 metres, including the G3 Ladies’ Day Vase, and is from an international family that includes the likes of the former champion filly and multiple Group 1 winner Miesque (USA) (Nureyev {USA}), dam of champion sire Kingmambo (USA).
Avadane also boasts an impressive pedigree and while her mother J’Adane (NZ) (Danehill {USA}) won only once, she was a multiple Group 1 placegetter.
Danehill (USA), sire of J'Adane (NZ)
She’s a long-time favourite of the Lindsays and on her retirement the couple vowed never to sell any of her foals and they’ve been true to their word.
J’Adane has been an outstanding broodmare with all six of her foals to race having been successful and includes the Group 3 winners Von Tunzelman (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), Prince Jabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) and Sherrif (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}).
Two-time winner
Avadane is her most recent success story with the filly twice a winner from a handful of appearances, including a last-start victory over 1400 metres at Pukekohe.
“It wasn’t a fastly-run race and she accelerated really well. I think long-term she’ll get over ground,” Noble said. “She will naturally get better as she gets older as a mature mare, but she warrants a place in this race.
Avadane (NZ) winning at Matamata | Race Images
“Whatever happens she’ll keep improving and the trip down here will help her. She’s in form and I don’t think a mile will pose any problems at all for her.
"She’s in very good order. I can’t fault either filly, they are both pretty straight forward and quite professional in their races.”
Bavella will be partnered by Leith Innes, who is the Lindsays’ contracted jockey, while Rosie Myers will be aboard Avadane.
