Memorable family moment awaits Noffke clan

By Glenn Davis

It will be a memorable moment for Rockhampton trainer Kerrod Smyth and long-time clients - the Noffke family - when Fay Faye starts at Emerald on Tuesday. 

Fay Faye will tackle the Class 3 Plate while Smyth's only other starter, Ocean Emperor, runs in the Class 6 Plate. 

Smyth, who originally hails from Springsure in Central Queensland, has known the Noffke family for several decades and has had a long association training for Fred Noffke senior and now his son, Fred junior.

"Fred senior was a stock and station agent and auctioneer out west while I worked as a stock inspector,” Smyth said.

Fay Faye is a daughter of Spill The Beans and completed a hat-trick of wins from four starts when she led all the way for a dominant Class 3 Plate win over 1000 metres at Rockhampton on January 2.

“It's more a family matter that we're taking Fay Faye to Emerald as she's also nominated for Rockhampton on Thursday," Smyth said.

"Fred's mother, Fay, is in her 80s and has never seen her race and the furthest she can travel is to Emerald.

"Fred bought her because she was a full-sister to Tricky Beans, who won seven times, and was one of the first horses he owned.

"She was bought as a weanling purely on the basis she was Tricky Beans’ full-sister.”

Smyth is confident both Fay Faye and Ocean Emperor will be highly competitive.

"Fay Faye has drawn the outside alley but there's a 600 metre chute at Emerald, so she's got plenty of time to come across,” Smyth said.

"Ocean Emperor had the makings of being a city class horse when Jack Bruce had him in Brisbane and I really like him.

"He’s a good horse and I think whoever beats him will win."

Ocean Emperor has only been in Smyth’s care for four starts and was successful at his last appearance in a 1300 metre Class 6 Handicap at Mackay on January 5.

Ocean Emperor placed at his first three starts for Smyth after moving to Rockhampton and will be aiming for his sixth career win in 39 starts.

Former New Zealand jockey Warwick Satherley will ride both Ocean Emperor and Fay Faye.

Satherley was an accomplished rider in New Zealand but weight forced him to give riding away before making a comeback last year when he moved to Rockhampton.