Halvorsen is one horse that loves the straight at Flemington and is looking to get back into winning form in the Listed Straight Six.
Rising six-year-old Halvorsen has shown a penchant for straight track racing as his career has unfolded and the Robbie Griffiths & Mathew De Kock stable is hoping to turn back the clock at Flemington.
After almost 18 months without a win on the board, Halvorsen gets his chance to get back into the winner’s circle in the Listed Straight Six (1200m) on Saturday.
Halvorsen has won seven of his 22 starts, with his last three wins being on the straight course at Flemington, twice over 1100m and once over Saturday’s course and distance, that being in the Listed Standish Handicap on New Year’s Day 2020, his most recent win.
Prior to success up the straight course, Halvorsen had chased home leading South Australian sprinter Gytrash on two occasions.
Griffiths, before being joined by de Kock, had Newmarket Handicap aspirations for Halvorsen until he injured a fetlock when seventh in the 2020 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield.
Halvorsen returned to racing in January and all four starts have been at Flemington, twice in Group 1 company, prior to his last start second to Sartorial Splendor over 1000m on April 25.
“He ran very good sectionals and he looked like the horse that we know that he is capable of being,” Griffiths said.
“He just can’t quite match it at the top level as he’s got older so we have dropped him back a cog and I think it was a very encouraging run last start.
“He’s done well off that, had a trial in between which was pleasing and he’s galloped well since.
“I don’t think barrier 15 is a negative because he likes to race back and he can tuck in behind something there, ease out and finish strong.
“We’d like to think the way he ran behind Sartorial Splendor he is going to be a great chance on Saturday.”
