Narbold claims Listed Rowley Mile for Rosemont

Superior fitness paved the way for Rosemont Stud’s Narbold to break through at stakes level in the Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury.

Having the eighth run of a campaign that started in May, Narbold responded to a change of tactics in the Listed race.

Ridden closer to the speed, Narbold ($5.50) got the better of the leader and favourite Punch Lane ($2.90) in winning by 1-1/2 lengths.

Juja Kibo ($11) finished two lengths away third.

Narbold, a son of Churchill, gave trainer Chris Waller his seventh Rowley Mile success and stable spokesman Charlie Duckworth said the victory was a testament to the five-year-old’s durability.

“I thought at the top of the straight he was actually going to be in a bit of danger, to be honest,” Duckworth told Sky Thoroughbred Central.

“He’s been up a long time, but there’s plenty of races during summer so if we do spell, at least you know he’s up to this grade.”