Poet's Tale was prepared by the Ben Pearce racing stables to run at Northam in race five in a maiden plate over 1600 m with Casey Hunter aboard jumping from barrier one with a full field of 11 to compete.
On landing in the Northam Toyota A Good Deal maiden, the race leader was Brandy Blitz, The Cat Ratcher was second on the outside of Poet's Tale with Hunter prominent from the get go, Matty's Choice was next in fourth after 600m.
Coming to the turn Brandy Blitz had kicked clear, Poet's Tale was off to challenge in earnest with The Cat Ratcher still there, as well as Matty's Choice whom was given some persuasion to keep up, as Take It Like A Man was showing anything but race favoritism, as Noske urged his charge along asking for a final effort.
Into the straight Brandy Blitz was still well clear, but was beginning to put in the short strides, Poets Tale was being coaxed along strongly by Casey Hunter who was back nearer the rail, at this stage it looked like the two leaders were going to fight out the finish, but Noske and the race favourite had other ideas and challenged strongly down the outside late, to pop the head down on the line, & in doing so, deny Poet's Tale the victory on this occasion finishing a neck behind Take It Like A Man with Brandi Blitz clinging on to the third position to complete race number five on the program.