Albany trainer Mark Westthorp hoping to finish off a winner in career best season

It has been a season to remember for hobby trainer Mark Westthorp and he is hoping the final two meetings in Albany can add to his impressive statistics in 2019-20. In just his fourth season as a horse trainer, Westthorp has had a career best season, producing three winners and seven minor placings. Little Punga has won two races this season and contested the $100,000 Fitzpatrick Plate, while fellow speedster Ibiza won her second career race in January. The consistent duo make up Westthorp’s team that heads to Percy Spencer Racecourse for the penultimate meeting of the season, and he’s bullish about returning with a winner. “It’s a career-best season for us for sure,” Westthorp said. “We are wrapped, all our horses that we have presented have been consistent. “Little Punga is so consistent, she had two bad runs this preparation but had excuses. “Congratulations to my team, they are all a part of our success this season. “I expect them both to go close on Friday.” Seven-year-old gelding Little Punga has won two out of his last five starts and will contest the Faithfull Family Racing Handicap (1230m) with apprentice Beaux Banovic-Edwards taking the reins from regular rider Kristy Bennett. In a field of 14 runners, Little Punga will jump from gate three. “Little Punga just tries his heart out every time,” he said. “If he gets the run of the race and some luck he should go close to notching another win this campaign. “Little Punga is our superstar, he isn’t known as a superstar but he is a champion in our eyes because of his heart.” Five-year-old mare Ibiza will be looking to chalk up her second win this campaign when she lines up in the Crump’s Canvas Racing Handicap (1050m) with Bennett in the saddle. Ibiza will be pressing forward to find the front from gate two. “Ibiza is a bit of a tricky one, I get her as fit and as sound as I can but it’s up to her how she runs,” he said. “She is a front runner and bursts out of the gates, if she has it her way she can go close I think.” Westthorp’s stable is based in Youngs Siding and he is looking to expand his team of horses. “We are setting ourselves up to start travelling,” he said. “If we start off next season as well as we did this season I will start to consider taking my horses to Bunbury and Perth. “Little Punga is not good with travel but if I plan where we stop on the way up and settle in somewhere a day before the race, hopefully he will be fine.” The first race of seven starts at 1.29pm.