He will start Noir De Rue in next Monday’s Darwin Cup, but trainer Jason Manning is eyeing the $40,000 Dabble Cup (1300m) first with Budgerigar at Fannie Bay on Wednesday.
For Manning, it will be his first Darwin Cup Carnival win and based on his Top End debut on July 13 the former WA gelding is some hope in the 0-76 event.
The four-year-old was competitive over 1200m (0-76) before tiring to finish third behind Chris Pollard’s Kerioth, who prevailed by 4.8 lengths.
Budgerigar will once again lump 60.5kg and Manning was happy to draw a wider gate in the nine-horse field.
“He surprised me a little bit first up, but he had the form on the board,” Manning said.
“Thought he was in a bit of strife when he drew the fence.
“He showed a good turn of foot and probably just knocked up a little bit, I’m looking forward to Wednesday.”
In 18 starts for Perth trainers Daniel and Ben Pearce, the son of Epaulette had five wins, five seconds and two thirds before coming ninth in the $125,000 Batavia Sprint (1200m) at Geraldton in March.
Just like Noir De Rue, another former Sandgroper, Budgerigar relocated to Darwin and will have Manning’s partner Vanessa Arnott for company on Wednesday.
“The On Fire Racing boys bought him on the on-line auction out of Perth, he was very competitive over there,” Manning said.
“We thought he’d be a nice Carnival horse – his first run was encouraging.”
Noir De Rue received 60kg for the $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m) as the nine-year-old gelding gears up for his fourth start in the race.
The son of Blackfriars was third in 2021 behind Highly Decorated, fourth in 2022 behind Playoffs, and ninth last year behind Write Your Name.
With a 95 rating, Noir De Rue is used to big weights, and in 16 Fannie Bay starts since making his Top End debut in June 2021, he boasts six wins and five minor placings.
After winning the ROANT Gold Cup (1300m) and Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) last July before the Cup, Noir De Rue disappeared before winning over 1300m on Australia Day carrying 65kg.
Sixth in an open 1200m handicap in June, he finished third in the ROANT Gold Cup behind Wolfburn and fourth in the Chief Minister’s Cup behind Bear Story.
“Noir De Rue’s going great, his runs have been super all the way through,” Manning said.
“The old boy drops down to 60kg on Monday, a little bit of weight relief.
“Neil Dyer’s Bear Story was outstanding the other day – he was the stand out in the lead up races and is going to be hard to beat in the Cup.
“Gary Clarke’s Wolfburn was impressive on Saturday in the Metric Mile and gets into the Cup with 56.5kg.”
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