After picking up endless feature races in the Top End, partners Jason Manning and Vanessa Arnott are on the verge of landing their first Darwin Cup with Noir De Rue.
The pair came close to winning the NT’s biggest race when Saturday Sorcerer, trained by Manning and ridden by Arnott, finished second in 2017 behind Royal Request.
Noir De Rue, the $4.20 betting site favourite for the $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m) at Fannie Bay on Monday, will lump 62kg, but he boasts impressive form.
The nine-year-old gelding, who started his career in WA, came from the clouds to seal the ROANT Gold Cup (1300m) on July 1 before finishing strongly to win the Chief Ministers Cup (1600m) on July 15.
Former winners of the Chief Ministers have a good record in the Cup, but for Noir De Rue he will be aiming to win the richest race on dirt in Australia at the third attempt after finishing third in 2021 and fourth last year.
The son of Blackfriars has had 11 starts in the Top End for five wins, a second, three thirds and two fourths from 1200-1600m.
In WA, he won from 1600-2200m where he also proved competitive at Ascot and Belmont, and when Manning took him to SA last year the gelding impressed at Morphettville.
Since last year’s Darwin Cup, the Noir De Rue has only had five starts for four wins – he rattled home to finish second behind Poupee over 1300m (BM76) in March before returning in July.
In November, he was victorious over 1300m at open level before saluting over 1600m (BM76).
In three of his past five starts, Noir De Rue has drawn barrier one and has won accordingly – he’s got the inside gate on Monday.
With a rating of 98, he carries the big weight regularly.
However, it’s his barn-storming finishes which that have caught the eye – Noir Du Rue would have been 15 lengths last at the 600m before swooping late at the 100m to win the ROANT.
“He relaxes a lot more in his races now,” Arnott said.
“Previously, you had to go forward on him.
“He likes taking a sit now, which is good.
“I don’t know why he’s more relaxed now.
“He’s just finishing off a lot better the way he’s racing now.
“He just wants to settle, which is great, and he’s conserving his energy a lot more.
“Once he starts to go forward he flies – as from the half mile he starts to build.
“He hasn’t raced a lot this year and he goes out to the farm.
“He’s had a lot of time off too – perhaps that has helped him to relax a bit more.”
Arnott will never question Noir De Rue’s determination, but he has seemingly found another gear since applying the handbrake at the start of a race before flicking the switch when the pressure mounts.
There was a period though where he would settle in front, only to fade in the home straight.
“He seemed to just dawdle a little bit the last 50m or last 100m in a lot of his races because he just over did it too much,” Arnott said.
“He was just too keen, just started to over-race a bit early and didn’t finish off as well.
Arnott agreed it was a very open Darwin Cup with Noir De Rue spotting his rivals plenty of weight.
Alice Springs Cup (2000m) winner Write Your Name will carry 55.5kg, while other leading contenders such as Lake’s Folly, Sanblas, He’s The Ultimate and Wolfburn have 54kg.
“He always jumps well, so you just give him a good dig and get into position,” Arnott said.
“We’ll probably end up behind the leaders early.
“There’s going to be a lot of speed in the race as there’s a few leaders, so that’s going to help me.
“He’s had a great preparation, he also seems a lot bigger and stronger this year.
“I just think he’s better this time and I think it’s all to do with his racing pattern to be honest.”
Noir De Rue is arguably the best horse to arrive at the stable for Manning and Arnott, and over the years they have also tasted success in the Darwin Guineas, St Patrick’s Day Cup and Bridge Toyota Cup.
Naturally, a Darwin Cup win would be icing on the cake.
“You always want to win the big one and of course you get excited,” Arnott said.
“I’ve always said that if I won the Cup I’d retire.
“That’s a bit of tongue in cheek, but anyway, we will see.
“I think I’ve had two seconds, a third, a fourth and a fifth in the race.
“A win would mean everything to Jason and I.
“That’s why you get up early every morning to win these big races.
“Noir De Rue, he always shows up.
“You put the time and effort into him, and he always has a crack.”
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