Former Queensland galloper Altar Boy is loving life in Alice Springs.
The four-year-old gelding made it four straight wins at Pioneer Park on Sunday when, as a $1.50 favourite with online bookmakers, he led throughout over 1600m (0-70) to outclass his rivals by 4.4 lengths.
Altar Boy, whom trainers Terry and Leanne Gillett acquired from Townsville trainer Sarah Acornley – wife of former Darwin jockey and trainer Carl Spry – had failed in five previous attempts over 1600m.
His best result was a third over 1630m (BM70) at Doomben in September 2022 after spending time with Sunshine Coast trainer Stuart Kendrick.
In his first eight starts as a two-year-old and one as a three-year-old in Townsville, Spry secured two wins and seven minor placings aboard the son of The Mission.
After a win and a second in his next six starts for Kendrick, Altar Boy returned to Acornley where he managed a third from 11 starts.
In his first start for the Gillett’s, the gelding was fifth in May over 1200m (BM54) before clicking into gear.
His first three wins were over 1400m before stepping up to 0-70 class on Sunday, but that didn’t prove a burden.
There was another short-priced favourite to salute on the program with Lisa Whittle’s Another Val ($1.40), ridden by Sonja Logan, getting to the lead in the home straight before overcoming Gillett’s Supreme Goal ($10) and Ray Viney’s All Fosted by 1.8 lengths in an 1100m maiden.
Another Val sealed that first win at the 19th attempt.
It took 10 attempts, but Greg Connor’s Vitesse Breeze ($13) finally won a race over 1400m when he made his move at the 600m against 0-58 opposition before shaking off Gillett’s Valley Prince ($5) in the home straight to win by half a length.
Victory basically sealed the jockeys’ premiership for Paul Denton (24) as it’s hard to see Logan (19.5) bridging the gap.
Adelaide jockey Stacey Metcalfe was making her Alice Springs debut and ended the day with a win when Will Savage’s Talent Quest ($9), a last start winner in November, finally edged clear late in the peace before prevailing over 1000m (BM54) by two lengths.
Viney’s Tango Stepz (Jessie Philpot), the $11 outsider, was forced three deep early before sharing the lead with Luskin Hero, but that didn’t stop the mare from winning the 1200m open handicap by half a length from Gillett’s Ornamental Lady ($5.50) and Whittle’s Il Don Cavallo ($4.20).
Horse racing news
