Peter Robl’s comeback has exceeded all his expectations and he continued his strong form with a race-to-race double at Rosehill on Saturday.
Robl brought up the winning double on the in-form Alma’s Fury in the JB (Barry) Maher Memorial Handicap (1500m) after his earlier victory on the Anthony Cummings-trained Upbeat.
Robl returned from a 12-month disqualification in late November and has been a regular in the winner’s circle ever since making his comeback.
“I think that’s my 22nd winner since I returned and there’s 12 metropolitan winners in that,” Robl said.
“I’ve certainly exceeded all my expectations.”
Alma’s Fury ($3.20 eq fav), chasing his third straight win this preparation, settled in the box seat with New Day Rising ($3.20 eq fav) and Parthian ($4) ahead of him.
Robl had to bide his time in the straight before getting Alma’s Fury into the clear, but once he did the gelding did the rest to put three-quarters of a length on runner-up Parthian with a short neck back to New Day Rising.
The Paul Murray-trained Alma’s Fury was twice stakes-placed last season in the Listed Dulcify Quality (1800m) and Group Three Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) and Robl believes there is still plenty of upside to the son of Refuse To Bend.
“He seems to have come back extremely well after his spell,” Robl said.
“It was just a matter of getting out in the straight. I just had to bide my time but I was never really concerned and it was a soft win in the end.”
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