Wind And The Lion faces a testing challenge from a wide draw and 59kg top weight, but rider Jarrad Noske is backing the gelding’s quality to shine in the Listed Raconteur Stakes (1400m) at Bunbury this Saturday.

Noske, who rode the three-year-old into fourth last start behind Pond Master over 1200m at Pinjarra, believes stretching out to 1400m will be a major positive.

“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.”

Last campaign, Wind And The Lion impressed at Ascot, winning the Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) and placing third in the Lee Steere Classic (1400m).

The Written By gelding will jump from barrier 11 in a 12-horse field. He opened at $10, eased to $11, and firmed back into $9.50.

Market leader Storyville holds strong favour at $2.35 with William Pike aboard. The filly has elite form, having claimed the Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) and WA Guineas (1600m), and ran well first-up behind Luvnwar.

Elite Missile sits at $5.50, Pond Master at $8, with Opportunistic also at $9.50.

Noske also rides Bayezid, trained by his wife Tiarnna, in the Donnybrook Glass Handicap (1000m). The gelding was second in a 950m trial behind Estimator.

“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 is rated a $16 chance with Tabtouch.