Albury Cup-winning jockey Nikita Beriman’s decision to stick with last-start winner What A Hoot is a strong push towards the gelding’s prospects at Monday’s Albury meeting.
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What A Hoot, a well-named New Zealand purchase from the mare Hoot ‘N’ Holler, is one of three runners for Mornington trainer Mitch Beer.
The 29-year-old trainer hopes What A Hoot can keep his winning record intact after claiming a victory on Anzac Day.
What A Hoot, who will break through $100,000 in earnings if he’s successful in the Benchmark 65 (1000m), is his trainer’s best chance on the seven-race program.
What A Hoot was successful at Geelong on April 17 at odds of $31 and before that won at Kyneton at $3.60.
Beriman, who won the Albury Cup in March on Willi Willi, will stick with the eight-year-old and also rides stable mates Going In Style and Royal Parade for Beer.
The young trainer said the four-hour trip to Albury was well worth it with such attractive prizemoney and a firmer surface to race on than closer to home.
“Nikita has a strong affiliation with the horse and she was keen to stick with him. What A Hoot has been well placed in lower level races,” he said.
“He doesn’t really handle soft tracks and the weather forecast looked much better at Albury so it is worth coming up.
“It’s his first time racing the NSW way, but I don’t think that will be a factor because it’s such a nice big track with a long straight.”
