Boxing Day full of promise for Kirby

Brodie Kirby is confident he can make Boxing Day a winning day in Albany, as the talented hoop teams up with leading trainer Steve Wolfe today with six of seven rides at Percy Spencer Racecourse this afternoon.

Kirby, who won the 2018 Fitzpatrick Plate, has returned to provincial ranks after riding opportunities at metropolitan level dried up.

Suspended in late 2018 for returning a positive swab, Kirby has struggled for city rides this year since returning to the saddle but he has now linked up with multiple Great Southern premiership winner Wolfe.

Kirby is bullish about adding to his winning tally in the Great Southern this season.

“I think Albany is one of the tracks that I do ride better,” Kirby said.

“Wolfey has always given me rides during my apprenticeship and I was riding a bit of trackwork at Ascot a couple of months ago and that’s how it came about. I’m not getting many rides in the city so I’ve gone back to the country areas and he’s lookedafter me really well, it’s all working and we have a great relationship.”

Kirby rated last-start winner Starorio and One Short as his best winning chances on the seven-race card.

Starorio will contest the Emu Export Handicap (1500m) from barrier eight but was an ultra-impressive when winning in Albany earlier this month.

A winner of more than $200,000 in stake money, One Short drops significantly in grade for the James Squire Handicap (1230m) but is drawn in gate 12.

“Starorio off its last run where the on-pace horses were winning, and we did the opposite, is strong form,” Kirby said.

“I think there is a bit more merit in that win than we think.

“One Short was only just beaten in town behind a nice one in Carocapo. The barrier is the question mark but he should still be too good.”

Kirby said Captivated Point trialled well for his first-up assignment in the Iron Jack Classic Handicap (1100m) and four-year-old mare Demeritise has strong claims to break her maiden tag earlier in the day.

Former Peters Investments horse State Prosecutor will have her first race start for Albany trainer Garry Delane in the Iron Jack Classic Handicap.

Emma Stent will ride the 2018 Belmont Guineas winner who has 61kg and jumps from barrier six.

The first of seven races today starts at 1.21pm.