KINGSTON, Jamaica - Four-year-old bay colt, Norblar by Wannabeaplayer out of Special Degree earned his fourth career success from seventeen starts with a hard-fought win over 6 ½ furlongs on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at Caymanas Park.
In doing so, Norblar-ridden Raddesh Roman trained by Gresford Smith, clocked 1:21.4 for the distance with splits of 23.3 x 47.4 x 1:14.2, defeating Whizz Kidd by three parts of a length with Benson a short head behind in third.
This fourth win by Norblar means he has now reached the Overnight Allowance level.
Norblar was kept off the early pace set by Benson (Shane Richardson), entering the straight for the final two furlongs just behind the leaders. With Roman applying the pressure, Norblar responded by pulling closer, then was able to strike where it mattered most, the winning post.
“It was a needed victory for the stables by Norblar, and Roman did a good job aboard with a well-timed run.
“Noblar has some health issues, which we have to deal with carefully and with time. This has limited his race day appearances, as this was his first race in 105 days. He did well and for that I am happy,” Smith told this website.
As to Noblar reaching Overnight Allowance, Smith was cautious in his response.
“The first thing we have to look at is how Noblar came out of the race on Saturday. Thus far he looks good, but it will take a few days to find out his true status.
“As to how Noblar will perform in Overnight, only time will tell. He will have to catch the pace of this new grouping but I am encouraged by the fact that he has put in some reasonable efforts against some good horses in the past like Ability, Funcaandun, and Easy As A.B.C,” the trainer shared with Quickgallopja.com.
