Qatar Racings Noble Protector wins Matron Stakes

Canberra, March 15 (QNA) - Qatar Racing's Noble Protector won the Matron Stakes (Gr3) at Flemington Racecourse, Australia on Saturday, 14 March 2015. Previously trained by Stuart Kitto, Noble Protector was bought by Qatar Racing after her success in the Newsells Park Stud Stakes (L), in the summer of 2014. She was then sent to Australia in search of the fast ground she prefers. Noble Protector took the lead 300m from the line and was never threatened on her way to her first victory in Australia. Trainer Robert Smerdon said: "She is here because she needs fast ground and David Redvers thought she would be perfect for Australia. I know that the horses that come for the Melbourne Cup win or run well but I am convinced that there is an acclimatization period. Craig Williams has worked very hard with the Qatar Bloodstock horses and this filly. He rode her in all of her prep races and gallops on the track and he told me that she was completely different today." This was a return to the track for the filly that had not run since last November. (QNA)