[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Rommel three-year-old Noble Connection opened his winning account at Bunbury on Sunday when taking out the Donnybrook Glass Maiden (1690m).
Starting the $2.50 favourite off the back of a second-placed finish over 1400m 10 days prior, the gelding was able to go one better after relishing a rise in distance.
Rider Brad Parnham rode him positively from an awkward draw in barrier 10 to position up outside of the leader, Extra Zero ($5.50), in running and the pair kicked clear from the rest of the field to engage in a two-horse war down the straight.
Noble Connection eventually got the upper hand and pulled away over the final stages to win by almost one-and-a-half lengths, with Beejay Boy ($18) a further two lengths away in third place.
The Ridgeport Thoroughbreds-bred gelding commenced his debut race campaign with luckless fifth and sixth placings but has now had four career starts for a win, a second and $28,876 in stake earnings and Westspeed Platinum bonuses.
Meanwhile, stablemate Let’s Galahvant will contest the $1 million Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) at Ascot on Wednesday.
CLICK HERE to view the results and replay of Noble Connection’s Bunbury win.