South Coast galloper Alma’s Fury backed up a recent win at his home track of Kembla Grange with victory at Rosehill on Saturday.
Backed late from $5 to $4.40 in the Happy New Year From The ATC Hcp (1500m), Alma’s Fury held Irish Jig ($6) at bay by half a length with Quick Peek ($14) a short neck away third.
Dominant favourite Single ($2.10) was one-paced and could not match the final sprint of the winner and finished fourth.
Trainer Paul Murray tested Alma’s Fury in the Queensland Derby earlier this year but he only managed to beat one horse home.
He said the gelding would be kept to shorter distances this time around.
“He’s come back really good this time,” Murray said.
“We’ll keep him to a mile (1600m) this preparation.
“He seems to pull when he goes over longer.”
Fellow trainer Craig Carmody was at a loss regarding Single who was always towards the rear of the field.
“He seemed to race in patches,” Carmody said.
“Maybe it was just being second-up but he seemed dour.
“We’ll let the dust settle before we decide what to do.”
Single also raced in the Queensland Derby but plans are to also keep him to shorter distances this preparation.
AAP TURF
