ALBURY trainer Martin Stein will have to wait a little longer to win three in a row after narrowly missing out on a slice of history on his home track.
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The Stein-trained favourite Never Pegasus was going for three straight wins at Albury on Saturday, but ran second behind Better Idea in the Benchmark 55 Handicap over 1600 metres.
“First time over a mile and she didn’t quite do it,” Stein said.
“She beat the others home pretty well but just that one was a bit better for us on the day.
“I think next time over a mile she will appreciate having this run under her belt.”
After starting from barrier four, the seven-year-old grey mare was well placed for much of the race, her first journey over 1600.
Hennessy Red lifted the pace at the 800m mark to lead by two and a half lengths and still led until the 300m mark when $2.90 favourite Never Pegasus hit the front.
Never Pegasus and Better Idea ($11) fought it out over the last 100 metres, with Better Idea hitting the lead in the dying stages to win by just over half a length.
The Andrew Dale-trained Shelbyville ($7) was third, with Brett Cavanough’s Alice from Albury ($11) finishing sixth.
Stein will now drop Never Pegasus back to 1400 at Albury on Oaks Day.
“I’m going to freshen her up and put her over 1400,” he said.
“She seems to like her home track.
“We won’t get so much weight now she’s been beaten.”
Leading Albury trainer Cavanough started the seven-race meeting in style by winning the first three races.
Margiel Stryker ($21) saluted from barrier No.11 in the first, with Ruark ($3.50 favourite) winning the second and Another Rush ($1.70 favourite) taking out the third.
Miss Mellencamp ($3.80 favourite) stormed home in race No.6 but was pipped at the end by Our True Matriarch ($17).
Attention will now quickly turn to Monday’s race meeting across the Border at Wodonga.
Stein said seven-year-old mare Iceconi would be hard to beat from barrier two, in race No.5 over 1590 metres.
“She’s a class horse in the field and she’s won six races,” Stein said.
“Probably the only question mark is being second up over a mile.
“But she’s been doing well.
“I brought her back specifically for the Spring Carnival.”
The TAB meeting at Wodonga has eight races on the card, with the first at 1:02pm and the last at 5.30pm.
