Alta Tribute in well timed burst gives Gary hall Snr the training trifecta

Consistent gelding Alta Tribute (Alta Christiano) made a welcome return to the harness racing winners circle mainly thanks to the perfect drive of Maddison Brown as he finished with a flourish to win the Rotary Club of Fremantle Free For All at Gloucester Park on Friday evening.

The race proved to be a training triumph for Gary Hall Snr as he prepared all three place getters. Son Gary Hall Jnr elected to drive Mighty Ronaldo for Justin Prentice.

Alta Tribute put the writing on the wall with a close second the week before in a discretionary standing start coming off 30 metres.

Nonetheless his task was made easier when the hot favourite Hotly Pursued was hustled out early but made to work from both Chivalry and Half Saint Louis before eventually finding the lead.

Youre So Fine was left to race outside the leader which then allowed Brown to drop in for the perfect one out and one back trail.

ALTA TRIBUTE 24 JULY REPLAY

Million dollar pacer Mighty Ronaldo who was resuming after a three month lay off made a run three wide in the middle stages but he never looked comfortable and was making heavy weather of it all in the final lap.

Hotly Pursued gave up on the final bend as Youre So Fine surged to the lead but he was a sitting shot for Alta Tribute who sprinted quickly to race away and record a convincing win. Sweet Pins held on for third.

Although worried with her wide barrier Brown stated

Just with that speed early I couldn’t hold my position so when there’s an opportunity to come off yes I thought I would. I’m glad I did because he was still keen on the rail.

Brown agreed that the high early speed helped her.

Yes absolutely. After that I was pretty confident he’s been going super and he was just travelling so well and I just needed some air and I thought the race was his.

Bettors Pride who had won his last three races and was positioned one out and three back but couldn’t make up much ground at the finish with a fast final quarter in 27.8 seconds.

 

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink