In a freakish training performance, trainer Gai Waterhouse has claimed back-to-back Group 1 J.J. Atkins with unbeaten youngster Almalad.
Almalad gave Hong Kong-based jockey Tommy Berry his third winner on his first day of riding at Eagle Farm when the gelding downed Brazen Beau by a long head.
Looks Like The Cat ran on well for third, a further half head away in the 1600-metre feature.
Waterhouse, who won last year’s J.J. Atkins with Romantic Touch, took a bold gamble to step Almalad up sharply in distance to 1600 metres following his 1200-metre win at Randwick on May 24.
Stable representative Mark Newnham praised Waterhouse’s training performance.
“Some of the things Gai does still amazes me,” Newnham said.
Almalad travelled wide up near the lead after appearing to over race but Berry wasn’t flustered.
“He came out of the gates well but once I grabbed him he wanted to get off the track,” Berry said.
“He was a class above them (on Saturday).
“Mark and I have had a big wrap on this horse for a long time.”
Waterhouse and Berry earlier combined for stakes wins with two-year-old Sports Edition and in-form mare Cosmic Endeavour.
Berry, who returned from Hong Kong to Sydney on Friday, spent a brief time with his parents before heading to Brisbane.
“If winning these races is an addiction I can’t get enough of it,” Berry said.
“I saw Mum and Dad briefly last night and this is for them.”
Newnham said he wasn’t concerned when Almalad went forward so early.
“Tommy thought Time For War would lead so Gai was happy for him to roll forward and get comfortable,” Newnham said.
“Unfortunately it took him a while to get comfortable and then he didn’t make the corner too well but it’s results that count.”
Almalad was a $50,000 buy at the Magic Millions Gold Coast sales and had now earned $411,00 in prizemoney.
The son of Al Maker will now be set for the Sydney and Melbourne spring carnivals.
“He looks an ideal type for the Caulfield Guineas but it will be up to Gai where she takes him,” Newnham said.
The win gave Waterhouse her sixth Group One of the season.
– Racing Queensland
