Dundeel gelding Almonti kicked off the new racing season in the best possible style, breaking through for a maiden win at Swan Hill over 1600-metres. Dwyer’s four-year-old galloper put the writing on the wall with an eye-catching third-placed effort at Donald the start prior over 1350-metres, giving every indication he would run out a strong mile next time out. And strong he was, hitting the front halfway up the long Swan Hill straight and fighting off allcomers to win by a long neck on the line. Victory was setup early on when jockey Declan Bates rode positively and found a lovely spot in the run, camped just behind the leading pair on the outside. Bates came off heels in the run home and had enough horse under him to pinch a race-winning lead at the furlong, his mount showing a good will to win when challenged by race-favourite Lucky Compass in the final 100-metres. Bates made mention of this post-race. “At the top of the straight he towed me up to the front very easily”, the hoop said. “He gave a really good kick, like he was going to go away and win by three or four lengths. But he just idled a bit, was waiting on them. But when that one got to him late I felt like he was picking up, and after the line I had loads of horse there”.
Trainer Dwyer was pleased after the event, noting this galloper could be better suited out over more ground in coming runs. “I think he’s still improving and will get out over further”, he said. “Certainly he’s the style of horse that can get out to 2000-metres and maybe even further”.
Almonti’s win came at his fourth career start. He’ll have three weeks between runs before finding his next suitable assignment, possibly over 1700-metres at Geelong on August 25th.