Straight Albert has continued his consistent form for leading trainer Guy Walter by recording a second successive win with victory in the Jim Beam Benchmark 80 Handicap (1600m) at Warwick Farm.
Photo by Racing and Sports
A last start winner of the Goulburn Cup (1600m), Straight Albert went into today's $70,000 Jim Beam Benchmark 80 Handicap (1600m) engaged in a three-way tussle for favouritism against rivals St Buene and Flying Empress.
While St Buene was a tearaway leader and Flying Empress was slowly away, Straight Albert had a comfortable time of it in fourth.
The Magic Albert gelding quickly made his presence felt on straightening and although displaying a tendency to hang in still hit the lead a furlong from home before recording a three-quarter length win.
Straight Albert is yet to finish outside of the top three in his four starts under the care of Guy Walter with the leading trainer suggesting a rise to stakes grade is not far away.
The four-year-old was the third emergency for today's Group 2 Inglis Villiers Stakes (1600m) however failed to gain a start.
“I think he is on the way up,” Walter said.
“I think he is probably going to be even better at 2000m and hopefully now he can gain a start in the Tatt's Cup (Jan 2) and Gosford Cup (Jan 12) as I think they will be nice races for him.”
Straight Albert has been under the care of Walter this preparation after being transferred from Muswellbrook trainer Michael Dobie.
“He is a lovely horse and I've been fortunate enough to get him as a mature horse,” Walter said.
“I didn't go through all of the dramas with him as a young horse.
“I've got him at the right time and he is really coming good.
“We are thrilled to have him and he is going really well.”
In form jockey Hugh Bowman was today re-united with Straight Albert after his only other previous ride aboard the gelding back in October yielded a second when resuming behind Riva De Lago over 1200m.
“He is an improving type and he'll get better as he gets over further,” Bowman said.
“I know Guy [Walter] had him earmarked for the Summer Cup but he had a little mishap so he had to change the plans.
“A good strong pace suited us today. He was strong and one to follow for sure.”
Irish Jig finished three quarters of a length behind the winner in second while one of the outsiders in Al's Gold ran third.
Race favourite Flying Empress never got in it and finished fourth while St Buene was the first horse beaten on straightening after setting a quick tempo up front.
Straight Albert continues to build on his strong record this campaign with today's success career win number five from 16 starts.
Add to that an additional six minor placings and his prizemoney earnings now exceed upwards of $200,000.
