Hastings: Noosa Beach returns sharp in George Royal

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Noosa Beach couldn’t have been more impressive in his 1 1/2-length win over Senor Rojo in the $50,000 George Royal Stakes at Hastings on Friday.

Breaking alertly under Gallyn Mitchell in the 6 1/2 furlong race, Noosa Beach sat behind Sassou and Dyna Stroll through a quick first quarter-mile of 21.86 seconds. When Dyna Stroll drifted out going around the first turn Mitchell urged Noosa Beach between horses and he took over the lead coming out of the turn. After repelling a big by Dyna Stroll at the quarter pole, Noosa Beach opened up a clear lead in the stretch and was never threatened.

Senor Rojo made a late move along the rail to finish second. Three Wood, a 90-1 longshot, got up for third. Final time of the race was 1:16.05.

“I had a lot of horse the whole way,” said Mitchell. “When the 10-horse [Dyna Stroll] drifted a bit I just stuck his nose in the hole and after he put his head in front he just pricked his ears the rest of the way.”

Trained by Doris Harwood, Noosa Beach paid $4.60 as the favorite in the nine-horse field. Three Wood helped spice up a $849.00 triactor. Noosa Beach, the 2010 Horse of the Year in Washington, was making his first start of the year.