Althoff, despite having more recognised stablemates in Chris Waller’s stable, seized his moment at Rosehill thanks to a masterful Zac Lloyd ride, outshining Group 1 performer Attica.
Ridden patiently in the mid-pack, Althoff ($3.60) navigated traffic in the straight before launching a powerful run to secure an emphatic 2-1/4-length victory over Attica ($3.10 fav). The Epsom Handicap placegetter, Fully Lit ($7), finished a further short neck behind in third.
“They never stop surprising you,” Waller remarked. “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 signalled his readiness with a second-place finish behind Carbonados at Rosehill on August 1. While he has been an inconsistent performer for punters at times, Waller is confident he can contend in a lower-grade stakes race under suitable conditions.
“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 seven kilograms more than the winner, put in a solid effort for second.
Stable representative Brave Pride indicated that while they anticipated a sharper turn of foot from Attica based on his trials, his performance suggested he was looking for a longer 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 win capped a successful day for Waller, who trained four winners, while Lloyd completed a riding treble. For those keen on the next big race, exploring Australian betting sites can offer competitive racing odds.
