Alacarte earns himself a break

Alacarte earns himself a break

Craig Brennan
Sunday, August 30, 2009

Race experience paved the way for Alacarte gaining victory in the $65,000 Restricted Maiden (2 & 3YO) over 1200m on Sunday.

The Steven Burridge-trained two-year-old was the most experienced galloper in the eight horse line-up having graced the starter three times previously.

Ridden by Saimee Jumaat, Alacarte scored a comfortable three-quarter length victory over Gallant Force (John Powell) with Good Daddy (Vlad Duric) two lengths away third.

Alacarte (Saimee Jumaat) breaks through for his maiden win under the rain.

Alacarte carved out the 1200m journey in 1 min 11.5 secs on the yielding track.

The likeness to former Jumbo Jet Trophy winner World Airlines paved the way for Alacarte to enter Burridge’s stable.

“I won five or six races with World Airlines and when I saw this bloke in the sales I thought he would be worth the punt,” said Burridge.

“World Airlines was a good horse for me and I hope he (Alacarte) can be somewhere near as good.”

Burridge went to A$130,000 to purchase Alacarte at the William Inglis Ready To Run Sale as a two-year-old and will now turn the gelding out for a break.

Alacarte was coming off a last start second to Just A Man over 1200m on the Polytrack a week prior.

“He’s done a pretty good job so far,” said Burridge. “I don’t usually like backing horses up so quickly, but this bloke went home last week and ate up.

“I gave him a pretty easy week and I thought this looked a suitable race.

“It’s good to win one for the owner (Big Valley Stable). They have been having a bit of a quiet run of late so to get another win for them was important.

“He (Alacarte) can go and have a bit of a break now. We can give him a bit of time and hopefully he will develop into a handy horse.”

Alacarte is a three-year-old son of Umatilla from the Final Card mare Euchre and his victory on Sunday took his prizemoney to around the $60,000 mark.