Another Mt Barker winner for Gilbert stable
Collie trainer Chris Gilbert scored her second winner of the season at Mt Barker Turf Club on Grapes and Gallops day after I Don’t Like it powered to victory in the Le Grande Motel Handicap (1850m) on Sunday afternoon.
With only a small team of horses, Gilbert was successful earlier this season at Mt Barker with Nanga Parbat and she doubled her Great Southern tally in front of a big crowd.
The five-year-old jumped a $13 on the tote and settled at the tail of the 10-horse field for hoop Renee Forrest before producing a terrific finishing burst down the outside in the home straight to beat Ashalily by a length.
The Oratoria gelding has now won three of 30 career starts and Gilbert said getting him back to full fitness was the key to registering another win. “That’s a big improvement on what he’s been doing,” Gilbert said.
“He got really fat over the spring, more than we thought.
“So getting that fitness back helped, we put the blinkers back on to get him concentrating again.”
Gilbert almost secured a winning double when $11 chance Nanga Parbat ran a mighty race in the Magic Millions WA 19th & 20th Feb 2018 Handicap (1200m).
The speedy five-year-old led for a long way in the home straight before getting run over in the shadows of the post by Captivated Point to lose by a long head.
Captivated Point ended a terrific day for top Albany trainer Steve Wolfe, who notched three winners in the seven-race card.
Wolfe won the Mungrup Stud Sprint with new acquisition Red Ora and tasted success with Jester Ferrari.
Jester Ferrari overcame barrier 11 to rattle home from eighth on the corner in the Boyacup Angus Handicap (1200m) and win his first race in Wolfe colours.
Jockey Shaun McGruddy notched a riding double on Red Ora and Captivated Point to take his Great Southern tally to nine winners.
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