Althoff, a horse who might not have the same profile as some of his Chris Waller stablemates, nevertheless captured a significant win at Rosehill, defeating Group 1 performer Attica thanks to a perfectly timed Zac Lloyd ride.
Patiently ridden in the midfield, Althoff ($3.60) waited for his moment before powering through in the straight to score by an impressive 2-1/4 lengths over Attica ($3.10 fav). The Epsom Handicap runner-up, Fully Lit ($7), was a further short neck behind in third.
“They never stop surprising you,” Waller declared. “He’s always been a consistent horse. He’s had a few niggles with his knees, and he’s obviously matured now and put all those little things behind him. Beautiful ride. Zac is riding with confidence. Horses feel that and that’s how he won.”
Althoff had shown good form at his first start back, running second to Carbonados at Rosehill on August 1. While he has been an unpredictable performer for punters at times, Waller is of the opinion that he can measure up in a less competitive stakes race under the right circumstances.
“I know he’s not an easy horse to follow, but when they return like that you like to think they can build towards something, and he did,” Waller stated. “He’s never been one we’ve thought too highly of, but we’ve thought enough of him to keep him going. He’s a good, Saturday money-spinning horse and if he had the perfect conditions, a race at Newcastle like the Cameron Handicap, or those type of second-tier Listed or Group Three races (could suit).”
Attica, carrying a weight disadvantage of seven kilograms compared to the winner, performed admirably to finish in second place.
Stable representative Brave Pride mentioned that the horse’s trials suggested he might possess a sharper turn of foot, but his run indicated he was looking for a greater distance.
“Just the way he trialled, we thought he might have been a bit sharper today,” Brave Pride said. “He ground away nicely. (Jockey) Adam (Hyeronimus) was happy with him. He just said he probably wanted to be in that rhythm a bit longer over 2000 metres. We’ll press on, probably with the idea of getting more towards a mile-and-a-quarter.”
Althoff’s victory was the fourth for Waller on the day, and Lloyd secured a riding treble. For those interested in the next major race, exploring Australian betting sites can provide access to the latest racing odds.
