Strong day for Albany trainers as Little Punga steps up in grade to win impressively at Anzac meeting

Speedy type Little Punga notched back-to-back wins at the Percy Spencer Racecourse after a bold front running display at the Banjo Paterson Memorial Handicap (1500m), which was part of Albany’s Anzac meeting on Sunday. Little Punga was a narrow winner in the 58+ grade at the previous meeting and then jumped up to the 70+ ratings race this week and was given a terrific ride by jockey Jessica Gray. From barrier six and carrying 57.5kg, Gray landed Little Punga ($13) in front and they were able to dictate terms in the race. The nine-year-old kicked clear in the home straight and held off a late challenge from Eurasia to score successive wins at the track and double as a second winner of the season for small scale trainer Mark Westthorp. Little Punga has now won 11 of his 78 career starts and has earned more than $160,000 in prize money. Tough galloper Art Admirer was having his third race start in eight days when he ground down Rock Of Kaha in the concluding stages of race four. Rebel Man was well supported into favourite in the betting but was withdrawn on vets advice after being found lame behind the barriers. Art Admirer started a $6 chance for trainer Ryan Hill and was perfectly positioned by apprentice Victoria Corver just off the leaders. Corver timed her run well as she gunned down Rock Of Kaha in the shadows of the post to win by a short neck over the 1600m journey. The Samantha Faithfull-trained Quintus turned his form around after a slashing 3.8-length win in The Whaler Memorial Handicap (1230m). Jockey Natasha Faithfull sent Quintus out to stalk early leader Luvachat and then burst clear in the sprint home to win comfortably. Albany trainer Paul Hunter also had success at the meeting as Red Orca broke through for a deserving maiden victory with Chris Nicoll in the saddle. Consistent galloper Athlone Castle won the final race on the card, edging out Trevello in a busy finish. Apprentice rider Taj Dyson got the best out of Athlone Castle to win by a short neck over Trevello who closed late, while back on the inside Classic Magnus and Oristano finished third and fourth respectively.