Under The Alta scores feature race triumph after winning Albany Cup for trainer-driver Cody Wallrodt

Under The Alta claimed the biggest win of his career after a tough victory in the $19,600 Wellington & Reeves Albany Cup (2690m) at Harold Reid Paceway on Saturday night. Trainer-driver Cody Wallrodt had success in Albany Harness Racing Club’s biggest race of the season after his five-year-old sped to the front and was never headed. Under The Alta jumped a $6 chance in the feature race and Wallrodt wasted no time from gate four on the front line, quickly charging to the front. From there, the gelding was able to dictate terms and fought off a sustained challenge from $2.75 favourite Tux And Tails. Under The Alta gave plenty in the final lap, fighting off the challengers to down the Lang Inwood-trained Tux And Tails by 5.9m, while the fast-finishing Lets Rock Tonight ($126), also from the Inwood stable, filled third place. The result was a huge thrill for connections of Under The Alta, which include former Albany jockey Shelby Colgate. It was a ninth career win for Under The Alta in 66 starts and was his first victory since October 22 at Narrogin. Under The Alta had performed well in the lead-up to the feature race, running third at Albany at three of his previous four starts. Wallrodt finished with a driving double after earlier saluting with Girl In Cover in race three. The Karen Wallrodt-trained Girl In Cover ($5.10) worked her way forward at the start of the 2265m event and went on to score a convincing 19.7m win over $1.95 favourite Path Of Gold. Reinsman Shannon Suvaljko had a treble on the eight-race program, starting off the night in winning form. Major Dalton was crunched in to $1.55 in betting and claimed a narrow half-head win over Alexandra Thegreat ($15.20) in the W&R Residential Management 3YO Westbred Pace (1832m). Suvaljko then won race seven when steering the Peter Tilbrook-trained Rockinthebox ($2.10) home by 1.1m. Pink Parade ($1.24) prevailed for Suvaljko and Inwood in the final race on the card, justifying her short odds. Trainer Hayden Reeves continued his impressive start to the new season when Gota Good Warhol ($4.30) won by a neck in race two over 1832m. Rebline caused an upset in the W&R Rural Sales Pace (2265m), winning at long odds of $51, while $1.75 favourite Fleur Du Maquis took out race four for trainer Bianca Ashcroft and driver Emily Johnson.