While not in the ownership of Herbert Park and no longer involved in the Tony Noonan stable, former Melbourne Cup winning trainer Mick Robbins would have enjoyed the filly’s win at Caulfield.
Robbins was celebrating his 94th birthday on Saturday and Noonan sent out a special birthday wish to the former trainer and work colleague after Herbert Park took out the Stow Storage Solutions Handicap (1100m) on Saturday.
“Mick worked for me for a number of years and trained Rain Lover to two Melbourne Cups,” Noonan said.
“It’s a nice birthday present for him and I’m sure he’ll get a kick out of that.”
Ridden by Jake Noonan, Herbert Park ($5.50) defeated the $4.20 equal bookmakers favourite Sunset Dreaming by a half-neck with Kundalini ($5.50) a length away third.
Herbert Park is unbeaten this campaign after scoring wins at Echuca and Sandown where she provided Noonan’s apprentice Dakota Keane with her first metropolitan win.
“She’s a tough filly, going really well and it’s nice to train a nice decent horse that can progress and she’s heading in the right direction,” Noonan said.
“She has always shown a bit of ability, but just needed time as she was always a little bit hot, so we had to handle her carefully.
“Jake and Dakota have done a terrific job with her.”
Besides the $82,500 prize money, Herbert Park also earned her connections a further $23,000 in VOBIS bonus money.
Noonan said as Herbert Park turns four next week, he was likely to return to Caulfield in three weeks’ time for a mare’s race.
“She’s not a difficult filly to train, but what I like about her is she’s a good, strong filly, a thick set filly that is a little runner and is improving,” Noonan said.
“Those nice horses, they can keep on improving and she’s doing that job.
“It’s really good to get the VOBIS today and Black Type might still be 12 months away, but she’s on the right path.
“Echuca to Sandown to here, it’s good to win three straight.”