Three on the Trot for Alfa Oro

Media Release - Saturday May 23

Another Karka Ready to Run success story, Alfa Oro continued his impressive run of form when winning the Almandin Handicap (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday.

It was the third win on-end for the four-year-old son of Bachelor Duke, who returned from an injury enforced two year layoff last month.

Alfa Oro in the blue - image Racing PhotosThe Matt Laurie-trained gelding suffered a spiral fracture in a front leg during trackwork, requiring surgery and a 20-month absence from the track.

He resumed with a runner-up effort at Pakenham in April before going on to record a hat-trick of wins, culminating in Saturday’s result..

“To come back after a two year layoff and win like he has is a pretty good effort on his part,” Laurie said. “We had a big opinion of him early and it’s good to have him back.”

Handy to the speed throughout, Alfa Oro edged to the front with 300m to go and showed his dogged determination when holding off his attackers to win by a neck over Spirit of Aquada.

Laurie was pleased with his charge’s efforts and believed he handled the Flemington straight well and won with a little in reserve.

“It was a really good effort because he was under a bit of siege there and he showed a good amount of fight,” Laurie said.

“He looked a bit green, that last furlong and a half, but he is a really good horse.

“I thought he would (handle the straight) and he obviously did, but he still looked like he had the handbrake on a little bit towards the end.

Advertisement

“He is such a pro in everything he does, so I was happy to take it on.”

Laurie came across Alfa Oro at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2017 Ready to Run Sale. He was immediately impressed with what he saw and went to $240,000 to secure him out of Regal Farm’s draft.

“He is a wonderful looking horse,” Laurie said. “I saw him at the breeze-ups in New Zealand and I didn’t have anyone to buy him, but I bought him anyway, fortunately.”

Laurie said he doesn’t have any immediate targets in-mind for the New Zealand-bred galloper, but he is excited about the prospects of the half-brother to multiple Group Three winner Home By Midnight.

“I just wanted to build up his rating and get a bit of money in the bank,” he said.

“I’m just trying to place him as best I can and we will see where we are at after this.”

Alfa Oro was bred by The Oaks Stud and was sold through their 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale draft for $135,000.  – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.
Kiwi Trainer Collects a Unique Double
Riccarton horseman Andrew Carston collected a winning double at his local synthetic meeting on Thursday, firstly as an owner and later as a trainer.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Farnan Draws Level with Ole Kirk on 13 Winners
There’s a good battle going to decide the leading first season sire by Australian winners and with just seven days of the season to run Farnan is laying down the gauntlet to the long time division leader Ole Kirk.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 24
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Amelia’s Jewel Family Produces Wootton Bassett 2YO SW
Wootton Bassett (GB) added yet another new two year old stakes-winner to his tally overnight in Ireland with the Group III Silver Flash Stakes (7 ½ f) at Leopardstown going to a filly that is closely related to Aussie Group I winner Amelia’s Jewel.
Expensive North Pacific Salutes at Geelong
The highest priced yearling for first season sire North Pacific, promising two year-old filly Angel Ladder opened her account with a tenacious win at Geelong on Friday.
New Zealand Makes Presence Felt in Hong Kong’s 2024-25 Season
From a freakish sprinter with a (NZ) suffix to an exciting group of up-and-comers sourced from the Karaka sale ring, New Zealand’s influence was strongly felt on Hong Kong racetracks during the 2024-25 season.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Kiwi stayer Mark Twain on Comeback Trail
One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Mark Twain will make his first public appearance for more than 12 months when the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained gelding has an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.