Wolfe jubilant as city drought broken by My Greek Boy

Albany trainer Steve Wolfe has broken his city drought after tough galloper My Greek Boy claimed the $100,000 Australia Day Trophy (1500m) at Ascot on Saturday.

With regular stable riders Shaun McGruddy and Peter Hall away on holidays, in-form jockey Daniel Staeck made the most of his pick-up ride on My Greek Boy as the pair surged past leader Wrinkly with 150m to go and then held off the fast-finishing Western Temple to win by half a length.

The victory improved My Greek Boy’s record to 12 wins from 40 starts and the talented son of Myboycharlie has now won three metropolitan Saturday-grade races.

Staeck positioned the six-year-old in a perfect spot from barrier one and he was delighted to team with Wolfe for a win.

“I actually haven’t had much to do with Steve,” Staeck said.

“He said he’d run well.

“I watched some of his replays and from the one draw I rode him with some confidence.

“To be honest when Wrinkly goes out and runs hard you start second guessing yourself a little bit but there were just two furlongs down the back straight I thought he went a bit too hard.

“At the 600 I thought. ‘I’ve got you’.

“He’s a well-performed horse and I’m certainly very pleased with the result.”

Wolfe had not won a race in metropolitan grade in the 2018-2019 season until Saturday and had plenty to smile about with his team.

Debutant Red Can Man unleashed a powerful finish to run second to Miss West Coast over 1100m in the two-year-old race earlier and sprinter Arrum Boy ran fourth in the Crown Sports Bar Handicap (1200m).

“It’s been a lean run for us up here in town and I’ve just about had enough of it,” Wolfe said.

“Brilliant ride by Staeck.

“He’s one of the old riders — he’s hungry.

“Blokes like him are blokes I like to have riding for me.

“My Greek Boy had a bit of trouble a few years ago here at Ascot laying off on the corner.

“He’s ironed out those problems now. He’s a fair horse and hopefully he can win a couple more.”