REJUVENATED galloper Arctic Grey relished the quick back-up to score his second win in four days at Benalla yesterday.
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Trained at Albury by Kevin Hanley, Arctic Grey broke a string of outs to score for the second time this preparation on his home track on Friday.
In an outstanding training feat, Arctic Grey backed up at Benalla yesterday and showed plenty of fight when challenged in the straight to make it two wins in four days.
Stable foreman Tim Hanley said there had been no reservations about backing the horse up so quickly after Friday’s win in 41-degree heat.
“He pulled up a treat after Friday and has just been to the pool a couple of times since then,” Hanley said.
“We could tell on Monday he was raring to go again and was feeling better than when he won on Friday.”
Artic Grey ($5) benefited from a perfect ride from jockey Brad Vale, who settled in the box seat and peeled out on the home turn and proved too strong for Tambo ($10) and Heartofthedevil ($13).
Hanley revealed the step up to 2000 metres had been instrumental in Arctic Grey recapturing winning form.
“He has drawn a couple of handy gates at his past two starts where previously he had been getting trapped wide from awkward gates,” he said.
“But he seems to like the 2000 metres and has been perfectly ridden by Brad at his past two starts, which makes a heck of a difference.”
Hanley said Arctic Grey would most likely race again at Albury’s next meeting, on February 18.
Yesterday’s meeting was marred by a nasty fall in race 3.
Jockey Casey Bruce sustained a suspected broken arm after her mount Bit Of A Bash crashed to the turf just before the home turn.
Michael Walker was subsequently thrown from his mount, Valtari.
Valtari galloped on after the incident, but Bit Of A Bash was not as fortunate and was pronounced dead on the track from a suspected heart attack.
Stewards and jockeys held an inspection of the track before the meeting was given the green light to proceed.