Cameron Noble looking forward to working winter after dream start to new season

Tuesday: Newcastle

Cameron Noble is looking forward to a winter of graft after launching the all-weather season with victory on Never Just A Dream in the first fast-track qualifier for finals day.

The jockey, who dead-heated for the Ayr Gold Cup on Baron Bolt as an apprentice in 2018, had to rebuild his career after a three-month stint in Australia cost him much of the 2020 campaign because it took a long time to get his licence back on his return.

But he has re-established himself now and was seen to good effect as he made all in the £30,000 two-year-old race, scoring by two and a half lengths on a colt who is unbeaten in three runs on the all-weather.

"Things have been going great," said Noble, 24. "I had a quiet couple of seasons after I went away to Australia now I'm getting back into the swing of it. I'm riding most days and picking up winners weekly. The plan is to ride through the winter – do a bit of graft and work hard."

Cameron Noble: 'I'm riding most days and picking up winners weekly. The plan is to ride through the winter - do a bit of graft and work hard'Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

While Noble is grafting through the British winter, Never Just A Dream will be enjoying the Middle Eastern sunshine and may not take up his guaranteed spot back here on Good Friday.

Trainer Ismail Moahhmed said from his Newmarket base: "I'm not sure whether he'll come back for finals day, he's going to Dubai next week and he'll be running at the carnival. Then we'll decide."

Title talk

Taylor Fisher signalled his intention to bid for the apprentice championship on the all-weather this season after scoring on Crystal Caves, his first ride for William Haggas.

The 18-year-old is based with Archie Watson but has now won races for 14 different trainers in his first season riding after landing the apprentice handicap here by nearly five lengths.

"I'm very grateful to Mr Haggas for putting me up," Fisher said. "He's obviously a very good trainer to ride for."

The former pony racing champion, who started out riding for his stepfather Joe Tickle in Devon, added: "Things are going very well, they've taken off since I joined Mr Watson three months ago. I've ridden all my 17 winners since then."

Asked about the title, he said: "Mr Watson is very keen and that's the plan. I'll be staying here in the winter and hopefully it keeps going."

Taylor Fisher: 'Things are going very well'Credit: David Carr

Water power

Jim Goldie's best Flat season continues to get better and he won his 59th race when Water Of Leith took the £14,000 6f handicap by a nose under Sam James.

The trainer's best previous total of winners in a season is 46 and he said: "We've had a great year. I'd like to get to 60 if I can."

Water Of Leith has been responsible for four of those wins, although he may be set for a short break before making any further contribution as he is due to be vaccinated.

Baby blues

Supporters of well-backed 5-4 favourite Sugar Baby were out of luck in the first 5f handicap. He was awkward at the start, causing Paul Mulrennan to lose his irons and trail the field, before he was pulled up behind 33-1 winner Our Absent Friends.

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