Four year old Alma’s Fury has to win at Randwick tomorrow to gain a start in the Group 1 $2m Doncaster Mile (1600m) next week.
Trainer Paul Murray said he would push on to the Doncaster at Randwick should Alma’s Fury take out the Group 3 $125,000 BMW Doncaster Mile Prelude (1600m) against most of the Doncaster opposition.
Alma's Fury needs a win at Randwick tomorrow to earn a start in the Doncaster Mile - photo (c) Steve Hart
“If we get a dry track on Saturday he should be very competitive,” Murray said.
“He’s got to win to get a run in the Doncaster.”
“But he’s there and if he’s good enough then we will probably push on to that.”
“If he doesn’t measure up we will probably freshen him up again and head to Brisbane.”
Murray has kept the Refuse To Bend gelding to the shorter distances this campaign after trying him over more ground unsuccessfully during the winter.
Alma’s Furry was sent to the spelling paddock after beating one runner home in last year’s Group 1 $500,000 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm.
He returned from a spell with three wins in succession, one at Kembla Grange and two at Rosehill and Murray has been pleased with his recent form.
At his latest start, Alma’s Fury held his own when third to the Gai Waterhouse trained Niagara in the Group 2 $175,000 Hyland Race Colours Ajax Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 31 while Murray said he was unlucky at two previous starts at Canberra and Newcastle.
“His Canberra run was really good because he didn’t handle the track that well. He’s got to have a firm track,” Murray said.
“At Newcastle he got locked in on the fence and just couldn’t get out and his Ajax run was really good again.”
Peter Robl has been the four year old’s regular jockey and again has taken the mount on Alma’s Fury who has the blinkers back on in the Doncaster Prelude .
In a wide betting race, the Gai Waterhouse trained Fast Clip is the current favourite at $7 just ahead of Raspberries, Speediness and Illo, all around the $8-$9 mark.
Fast Clip is fitter for two runs from a spell, the latest being a sixth to stable mate Niagara in the Ajax, but he hasn’t won a race since taking out the Group 2 $175,000 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill back in April last year.
Tommy Berry is back on Fast Clip replacing Damien Oliver who is suspended for careless riding but will be right to ride at next Saturday’s Doncaster meeting.
