“IF you want to win a race at Albury, New Year’s Eve is it.”
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That’s how local trainer Andrew Moore put it after lightly raced gelding Master Magregor stunned what looked the sure thing of the night in the second at Albury Paceway last night.
Master Magregor, who has won three of his seven starts, came from the clouds in a thrilling finish that saw four live winning chances pass the post.
But it was Master Magregor, on the inside, who got across first.
Donated, the hot favourite on track, was forced wide early and despite figuring in the finish, never fully recovered from its poor start.
Moore, who played more than 100 games for the Albury-Wodonga Bandits, was stoked to score a win at home in front of family and friends.
“If you’re racing in Albury, this is the night you want to win,” the Albury trainer said.
“The atmosphere is amazing — all our family and friends are here.
“I’m rapt.”
Driven by Bruce Harpley, Master Magregor upstaged a class field in a race both Harpley and Moore conceded he needed plenty of luck to win.
“He was really up in grade and so realistically we had to drive him like that and hope for a bit of luck,” Harpley said.
“We got it, thankfully, he came home strong.”
Moore agreed.
“He’s had two starts back and been a little disappointing but he had a bit of luck tonight, as well as good drive from Bruce,” Moore said.
“He was way up in class tonight.
“They’re a lot better horses than he is.
“They were nice horses and he only just beat them.
“But that’s all you’ve got to do.”
Moore said the five-year-old had benefited from his slow start in racing.
All three of Master Magregor’s wins have come at Albury.
“He was a bit jazzy as a young horse and I didn’t want to push him,” Moore explained.
“It’s paid dividends —he’s had three wins now from seven starts.
“I don’t think it would have been the same, had we pushed him.”