Noah 'N' A Deel to give Kelly a timely pick-up in Grand Prix

By Glenn Davis

Former South African jockey Sean Cormack is hoping to give Gold Coast trainer Les Kelly a timely pick-up when he reunites with Noah ‘N’ A Deel in the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Kelly underwent major surgery in hospital this week and is expected to miss the Grand Prix Stakes meeting.

Cormack has ridden Noah ‘N’ A Deel at his past four starts, for two wins and as many placings, including his last start second to the Chris Waller-trained Kovalica in the Eagle Way over 2000 metres at Doomben on December 3.

On that occasion, Kovalica sat in the box seat and was unextended downing Noah ‘N’ A Deel by more than two lengths while Kelly’s filly was well back in the early stages and forced to come wide around the home turn.

“I was very happy with her last run but she copped a bump and got unbalanced and was pushed wide coming to the corner,” Cormack said.

Noah ‘N’ A Deel has started eight times for three wins and two seconds and Cormack won’t be surprised if it’s the start on a journey to next year’s Group 1 Queensland Oaks.

Cormack believes Noah ‘N’ A Deel would be a worthy contender for the Queensland Oaks following her game performance in the Eagle Way.

“She’s a really nice filly,” said Cormack.

“She’s still a little immature but she’s learning quickly and she stays well.

“I don’t know her future long term but I think she’s really smart and would be competitive in an Oaks.

“It’ll be nice if she can win for Les.

"He’s had a few issues lately.”

Cormack has won 14 Group races in South Africa and major Cup races in Singapore, so his opinion is noteworthy.

He was once the stable rider for the late Bruce McLachlan at the Sunshine Coast in 2008 before heading back overseas to ride in Singapore and South Africa.

“I rode for Bruce for about a year and went back to South Africa for a year and then went to Singapore for 18 months,” he said.

Cormack has great respect for Kovalica, who is likely to be set for the Queensland Derby, after completing a hat-trick of wins in the Eagle Way.

The son of Ocean Park is raced by prominent owner Nev Morgan who won the Queensland Derby in 2021 with the Waller-trained Kukeracha.