Leading trainer Peter Moody capped off a memorable day when Almodovar completed a three-state treble with his victory in the Galilee Series Final at Caulfield.
Ridden by Linda Meech, the Pins gelding, sent out equal favourite at $5.50, stormed home to land the Listed 2406m three-year-old race by a long neck from the other equal favourite Right Of Refusal with Cuban Sunday ($7.50) a neck away third.
Earlier Moody’s world champion Black Caviar made it 12 from 12 in the Group One $1 million T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick .
And Choisir filly Cute Emily remained unbeaten when she led all the way to win the Group Three South Australian Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville.
“He’s relishing it every time he steps up in distance. He’s really going the right way,” said assistant trainer Tom Brideoake of Almodovar.
“He’s improved since his last start and I think he’ll go on. He’s a very promising stayer.”
Almodovar, who has won three of his six starts, completed a hat-trick having won a Pakenham 1750-metre maiden and dead-heating with Cuban Sunday in a 2000-metre heat of the Galilee Series at Caulfield last month.
Brideoake said the stable would let the dust settle before deciding on his program.
But definite options for Almodovar are the Listed VRC St Leger Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on April 25 and the Group One South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on May 8.
The Moody stable has its worries with stablemate Elusive King who was scratched at the barrier for the second time this preparation.
Elusive King, who had been $4 favourite at the time of his withdrawal, reared up in the gates before flipping over.
“He’s turning into a headache horse that horse, but fingers crossed he’s okay,” Brideoake said.
“He’s a very promising horse also.”
AAP TURF
