In a battle of the big two, Alpine Wolf brought Turk Warrior’s unbeaten eight start run to a close in Friday’s Listed Tasmanian Guineas (1600m).
Ridden by Daniel Ganderton for trainer Barry Campbell, Alpine Wolf enjoyed a cosy run, third on the inside as Bond Street Beau led the field through moderate sectionals.
Ismail Toker had Turk Warrior in the perfect spot on the outside of Alpine Wolf, but when he wobbled around the home turn Alpine Wolf eased out to stake his claim.
The son of Alpine Eagle was untroubled to defeat the Outreach gelding Turk Warrior by three lengths with a further one and half lengths back to the Turn Me Loose gelding Bond Street Beau in third.
It was a welcome change of luck for Alpine Wolf who appreciated stretching out to a mile after finishing second behind his old foe over 1200m and 1400m at Launceston.
Ganderton believes Alpine Wolf has the ability to go to the top on the mainland.
“He’s a really good horse and has not had the easiest of preparations. He is a credit to the staff at home who have worked overtime to get him back on track,” Ganderton said.
“He had a jumpout against more seasoned horses and he treated then with contempt. It gave me confidence coming here.
“I might try to get them to take him to the Australian Guineas. We are far from having seen the best of the horse.”
A homebred for the Calabro family, Alpine Wolf is the second named foal and first winner for the 3-time winning West Quest (CAN) mare Copper Dancer.
A regular visitor to Alpine Eagle, Copper Dancer has a 2yo filly and a filly foal by the son of High Chaparral (IRE) and revisited him last spring.
Alpine Wolf becomes the first stakes winner for Armidale Stud’s Alpine Eagle.
The Group II winning son of High Chaparral (IRE) stands at a fee of $6,050.
