Much-travelled Sydney galloper Straturbo is likely to return to Brisbane for the Queensland Lightning next month after breaking through at Doomben.
Straturbo ($5.50) had the run of the race before beating Wicked Intent ($3.90) by two lengths in the Listed Chief De Beers Handicap (1050m) on Saturday.
Trainer Gary Portelli has tried Straturbo to five different tracks at his past six starts.
Straturbo had no won since taking the Magic Millions Sprint at the Gold Coast in January last year but he has been a consistent placegetter.
Owner Sean Alder said Straturbo would now return to Sydney and it would be up to Portelli where the gelding started next.
“Gary loves to travel Straturbo and he does a great job with the horse. Straturbo is a real 1000-metre horse as he likes to get out and run,” Alder said.
Straturbo looks perfectly placed in the Listed Queensland Lightning (1000m) on June 4 as he will meet much the same field as Saturday.
Jockey Robbie Fradd was full of praise for Straturbo.
“He got a lovely run behind the pace and it was just a matter of getting a run in the straight,” Fradd said.
Luke Dittman said Wicked intent had tried hard after being beaten for early pace.
Northern Rivers galloper Plateau Gold ($31) fought on well to be third and jockey Michael Cahill felt he would have won with a better barrier.
