Alberton Park had the perfect introduction to Sydney racing for her new stable with a convincing victory in the opening race at Rosehill on Saturday.
The five-year-old joined John O’Shea’s team three months ago and the Randwick trainer was expecting a big showing in the Australian Turf Club Handicap (1200m) based on what the mare had shown him on the training tracks.
“I said to (part-owner) Tony Bott that if she didn’t do anything today we’d be in a world of pain, because there were just no excuses for her leading into the race,” O’Shea said.
“She hasn’t put a foot wrong since she’s been with us. She’s an uncomplicated little mare and we have been very happy with her.
“Every time I have worked her she has worked well and every time I’ve trialled her she has trialled well.”
Alberton Park did her previous racing in Brisbane with trainer Liam Birchley and won five of her 28 starts with 14 placings including a second in the Listed Bright Shadow Quality at Doomben last April.
After settling in the perfect position just behind the leaders, apprentice Chad Schofield peeled Alberton Park ($8) out on straightening and she came down the centre of the track to reel in her rivals.
She defeated the Chris Waller-trained First Look ($12) by three-quarters of a length with another 1-1/4 lengths to Hatton Garden ($6) in third.
O’Shea said the Listed Wiggle Stakes (1400m) for fillies and mares at Warwick Farm in March would be a likely target.
Schofield, who has built up a healthy lead in the Sydney apprentices’ premiership, showed off a new European style of using the whip in his victory on Alberton Park, something he is still working on perfecting.
“I’ve only been trying it out the last couple of weeks at trackwork and used it for the first time in a race at my last meeting (at Gosford on Friday),” Schofield said.
“It’s a style my dad (Glyn Schofield) often uses and I’ve noticed Tommy Berry starting to use it as well. I still haven’t perfected it, but I like it.”
AAP TURF
