IT was a case of third time lucky for the Kevin Hanley-trained Prato at Albury racecourse on Saturday.
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Prato had been a late scratching at her past two starts.
On November 27, she was kicked when behind the barriers at Albury.
Then, at Benalla last week, she missed out on a run when electrical storms forced the seven-race program to be abandoned.
But the four-year-old mare atoned on Saturday with her first victory in 14 starts — in the $15,000 Class 1 Hcp (1600m).
“She got kicked at Albury and had to be scratched,” Hanley said.
“Then we went to Benalla where we thought she could win but the meeting was called off because of lightning strikes.
“It has been a bit frustrating but we were able to get the money at Albury.”
Hanley paid tribute to jockey Brad Vale who managed to steer the mare across to the fence from barrier 9 and trail early leader Stradeeming.
Vale cut Prato loose at the 400-metre mark and she quickly found the front with 200 metres to travel and fought on well.
Prato ($11) had to dig deep in the closing stages to hold off the challenge of The Whistler ($5) to score by half a head.
Lord Carter ($11) was 2¼-lengths back in third.
“My son, Jason, rated the ride a 12 out of 10,” Handley said.
“But I only gave him a 10 out of 10 because you don’t want your jockey walking around with too big a head.
“Normie Loy has been riding her in trackwork and she wouldn’t even be at the race track, only for Normie.”
Hanley was nursing a headache yesterday but it wasn’t from celebrating the win.
“She donged me on the head last night when I was washing her,” he said.
“I ended up with a bit of a gash on my head and a rotten headache that I still can’t get rid off.”
Prato is raced by a large syndicate of mainly North Albury cricketers.
Hanley said he would probably head to Wagga on December 23 for Prato’s next start.
Albury Racing Club attracted a bumper crowd of more than 2500 for the first of its two Christmas meetings.
The club is also expecting another big crowd this Saturday, with 1000 already booked in for marquees.
The David Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained Speckie finishes powerfully out wide on the track to snatch a thrilling win in the $15,000 Class 2 Hcp (1400m) with jockey Michael Travers on board. It was the second leg of a double for the trio after the win of Snitzelwood. Apprentice jockey Lily Coombe also chimed in with a double aboard Steel Ears and Flaming Aces. Pictures: JOHN RUSELL
She got kicked at Albury and had to be scratched. Then we went to Benalla where we thought she could win but the meeting was called off because of lightning strikes. It had been a bit frustrating but we were able to get the money on Saturday. KEVIN HANLEY