Trainer Tony Noonan admitted he was concerned when Danny Nikolic took Ortensia to the lead in the Thousand Guineas Prelude but the decision proved to be a winning one.Noonan was backing the Testa Rossa filly up after her excellent effort when she drifted back to last and then powered home to finish second to the Lee Freedman-trained Dan Baroness in the Champagne Stakes (1400m) at Moonee Valley last Saturday."It wasn't the plan but that's what you put good jockeys on for," Noonan said of Nikolic

Trainer Tony Noonan admitted he was concerned when Danny Nikolic took Ortensia to the lead in the Thousand Guineas Prelude but the decision proved to be a winning one.

Noonan was backing the Testa Rossa filly up after her excellent effort when she drifted back to last and then powered home to finish second to the Lee Freedman-trained Dan Baroness in the Champagne Stakes (1400m) at Moonee Valley last Saturday.

"It wasn't the plan but that's what you put good jockeys on for," Noonan said of Nikolic who was having his first race ride on the filly.

"I was worried. I knew the track was suiting horses on the pace but she was backing up and going up to the 1400 metres today.

"I told him to be a bit more positive early and then hopefully get an easy run in behind them just off the pace.

"She did all the work and got a little bit tired at the finish but I think that was understandable."

Ortensia led all the way to score by three-quarters of a length from Romneya with race favourite Sugar Babe 2-1/4 lengths away third.

Noonan is now looking towards the Group One Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 11 with confidence after defeating two of the Freedman stable's leading Guineas chances.

"Her record speaks for itself and each time she's stepped up to a harder task she's taken it on and good horses tend to do that.

"I think she's a very good filly. She's sound she's clean winded, she's got all the components of a good horse."

Nikolic, who won last year's Thousand Guineas aboard Serious Speed, believes Ortensia could be even better ridden in behind.

"I took her to the front but I don't know whether that is the way to ride her," he said.

"I think she will be even better ridden with a sit."