Only a wet track looks to stand in the way of Alma's Fury collecting the first stakes win of his career when he lines up in Saturday's Listed Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Alma's Fury has been a model of consistency this campaign, relishing a string of firm tracks he has encountered over the Summer and Autumn months.
Trainer Paul Murray is again hoping for similar conditions when the reliable four-year-old contests the Listed Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury on Saturday.
“As long as the track plays in his favour I think he will be right in the finish, we are very happy with him,” Murray said.
“Although anything worse then a dead track and unfortunately we'll have to scratch him.”
The decision to keep the son of Refuse to Bend over the middle distance range is what Kembla Grange based trainer Paul Murray has attributed to the geldings great recent form.
“Last preparation we tried to race him over upwards of 2000m but he just couldn't see out the trip.” Murray said.
“You only get one chance as a three-year-old to race in the Derby so the owners and I were inclined to see if he was up to it.
“This time around we've kept him over the shorter trips and he's really thrived.”
Since resuming from a Queensland Derby Campaign, the four–year-old has notched up three wins and three minor placings, with his only finish outside the placings coming in the Group 3 Newcastle Newmarket where he finished eighth, beaten only two lengths.
“The inside barrier didn't help at all that day in Newcastle, he just got strung up on the inside and had no where to go,” Murray said.
“He was entitled to finish a lot closer on that occasion.'
Although it will be his first start around the tight Hawkesbury circuit, Murray remains confident it will work to his advantage.
“Hawkesbury seems to favour horses that race up on the speed which should work out nicely in his favour,” Murray said.
Coming off a last start third in Group 3 Doncaster Prelude behind the Waterhouse trained galloper Fast Clip, Murray feels his four-year-old has the ability to turn the tables this time around.
“You've really got to respect Gai (Waterhouse),” Murray said.
“Her stable is flying at the moment but we'll be trying very hard on Saturday.
“He really did his best work late behind Fast Clip last start and we are expecting him to be right there at the finish again. Hopefully he can go one better this time around.”
Alma's Fury will gallop between races at Kembla Grange today in what will be his final preparation in the lead up for Saturday.
