Cream slowly rising to top with Noble Decree

By Glenn Davis

The cream always rises to the top but in some cases it takes time.

That’s the impression trainer David Vandyke has drawn from his promising three-year-old Noble Decree.

A $400,000 buy at the Karaka Yearling sales in New Zealand, Noble Decree was the logical pick for Vandyke on breeding and looks.

“He’s a nice horse and was one of the standouts at the Karaka sales,” Vandyke said.

“He ran in much better company last campaign but we’re just taking each race as they come this time in.”

Vandyke accepted with Noble Decree for Doomben on Wednesday but scratched after drawing wide.

A son of American sire Per Incanto, Noble Decree will instead head to the Class 1 Handicap over 1200 metres at Ipswich on Thursday.

“I accepted with him at Doomben but I waited to see the opposition and how he fared in the draw before I decided where to go with him,” Vandyke said.

Noble Decree has a Group 1 winning pedigree on his dam’s side with his mother, Sharvasti, a winner of the Group 1 Avondale Cup in New Zealand in 2006.

She also was Group 1 placed on two occasions when second in the 2006 Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie and second in the Group 1 Inter Stakes at Te Rapa the following year.

“She’s got a great staying pedigree on her mother’s side but I think 1600 metres will be her best distance,” Vandyke said.

Noble Decree broke through for her maiden victory last start for owners Ron and Judy Wanless at Ipswich on April 9 when ridden by Noel Callow.

 “I’ve trained a few horses for Ron and Judy in the past and they’re great owners to train for,” Vandyke said.

“It was good to see Noble Decree win first-up for them.

“He should run well again at Ipswich but I want to take him through his grades first before we think of anything bigger with him,” Vandyke said.