Noske hopes his lion can roar in 2025 Raconteur Stakes

Topweight and a wide draw are obstacles for Wind And The Lion in Saturday’s Listed Raconteur Stakes (1400m) at Bunbury, but jockey Jarrad Noske is optimistic the gelding can overcome both.

Noske partners the three-year-old again following their fourth-place result behind Pond Master over 1200m at Pinjarra, and believes the rise in trip will suit.

“I think he’ll appreciate the 1400m,” Jarrad Noske said on Tabradio.

“He just didn’t travel last start over the 1200m and found it hard to go with them when they quickened.

“He was still hanging in there late, so I think he’ll relish the 1400m. It felt like he would improve with the run.

“He wasn’t coming to the end of it on the line, but I’m looking forward to Saturday, anyway.”

Wind And The Lion impressed at the Ascot carnival with a victory in the Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) and third place in the Lee Steere Classic (1400m). He also won stylishly on debut at Belmont.

He jumps from barrier 11 with 59kg, having shifted in betting from $10 to $11 and now back into $9.50.

Storyville, trained by Grant and Alana Williams, is the $2.35 favourite from gate two, having already won the Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) and WA Guineas (1600m).

Other contenders include Elite Missile at $5.50, Pond Master at $8, and Opportunistic at $9.50.

In another race, Noske rides Bayezid in the Donnybrook Glass Handicap (1000m), trained by Tiarnna Noske. Bayezid recently finished second in a trial and is expected to run well fresh.

“I thought he trialled well behind Estimator,” Noske said.

“I didn’t ask much of him.

“He’s got a pretty good record first up.

“He’s a bit of a fresh horse and has drawn well.

“If he can race up on speed, I think he’ll be there for a long way.”

Bayezid has opened at $16 with Tabtouch.