Kembla Grange galloper Alma's Fury has continued to fire on all cylinders this preparation, this time winning the J.B. (Barry) Maher Memorial Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The Paul Murray-trained gelding mixed it in some nice races last preparation, placing in the Group Three Grand Prix before failing in the Queensland Derby but since resuming he hasn't missed a beat with two wins from two leading into Saturday's event.
Ridden by Peter Robl, Alma's Fury jumped fairly from barrier three before being hunted up to sit third on the fence behind race leader New Day Rising.
The race was run at a moderate tempo which suited everybody as no one looked to challenge for the lead until the field turned for the run home. Once in the straight New Day Rising kicked strongly while Parthian who sat outside the lead in the run levelled up to the leader. Robl had Almar's Fury rolling but was being kept in the pocket by Lockmar to his outside.
Passing the 200m Parthian took the lead and Robl finally bumped Lockmar clear and was ready to stake his claim. Stride by stride Almar's Fury gained ground on Parthian before getting to the lead with 75m to go.
At the post the margin was three quarters to Parthian with a short neck to New Day Rising in third place. The overall time was 1.30.34 with the last 600m run in 34.10.
“He is just firing this preparation and he is just a lovely horse,” Murray's representative Michelle Ritchie said.
“(The Queensland Derby) taught him a lot and now he is going great.”
“He travelled nicely in the box seat,” Robl said. “I spoke to Paul and he said not to go too early because he does have a tendency to Stargaze when he gets there.
“I just had to extricate myself from where I was and he hit the line strong. It was a soft win in the end.
“He seems to have come back (from the Queensland Derby) with a turn of foot and when you do get clear running and give him a squeeze you can feel him accelerate underneath you.”
