The maintenance factor might be borderline high with Silent Predator but trainer Ken Noble's dedication will be rewarded with a career first if the patched-up blue blood can win at Canterbury.Noble, who prepares a small team, will bring Silent Predator to Sydney on Wednesday after two out-of-town wins from just three starts for his Newcastle stable.He likes his chances of a breakthrough Sydney victory - for himself and the horse - in the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1550m)."Over the years I've

The maintenance factor might be borderline high with Silent Predator but trainer Ken Noble's dedication will be rewarded with a career first if the patched-up blue blood can win at Canterbury.

Noble, who prepares a small team, will bring Silent Predator to Sydney on Wednesday after two out-of-town wins from just three starts for his Newcastle stable.

He likes his chances of a breakthrough Sydney victory - for himself and the horse - in the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1550m).

"Over the years I've only had a couple of runners in Sydney and they haven't been that successful," Noble said.

"This horse would have to be my best chance so far."

Silent Predator is raced by his breeders Jaime and Jennifer Mackay of Cangon Stud Farm fame and like most of their stock started his racing life in a city stable.

Tipping the scales at a hefty 560kg, the strain on Silent Predator's legs ultimately restricted his racetrack outings for Randwick trainer Anthony Cummings.

"Being so big hasn't helped him," Noble said. "He's had two different sets of knee surgery."

Noble is extra cautious when it comes to training the six-year-old, a son of champion stallion Redoute's Choice from Katima, the Mackays' mare who counted the 1999 Group Two Silver Shadow Stakes among her four victories for trainer Guy Walter.

"You've got to nurse him and show him a bit of TLC. He does a lot of swimming in the pool and we use the ice boots on him," Noble, who does a lot of pre-training for major stables, said.

"There's a bit of maintenance involved but he's got his share of ability."

Silent Predator won first-up at Gosford and dominated from the front to win at Newcastle at his most recent outing.

Heavyweight jockey Chris O'Brien has been in the saddle for both wins and takes the ride again on Wednesday.

"It looks a good race for him but win or lose it is going to top him off for the Broadmeadow Mile, a nice type of race for him during the Newcastle Cup carnival," Noble said.

TAB Sportsbet markets have listed Silent Predator as a $12 chance with the Gai Waterhouse-trained topweight Silent Reward the $4 favourite.