Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Veteran pacer Alta Rhett has been a wonderful moneyspinner for Bunbury trainer Sarah Wall, and the eight-year-old ended a losing sequence of 32 when she broke through for her first win for 16 months at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
After an encouraging last-start third behind Skylord, Alta Rhett was a warm $1.20 favourite from the No. 4 barrier in the 2130m WA Foton Diesel at Catalano Pace when Gary Hall jnr dashed him straight to the front and set the pace before winning by three lengths from $51 outsider Call To Arms, rating1.58.3 after a final quarter of 28.1sec.
About 100m after the start Justlike Turbo broke into a gallop, dislodging his driver Kyle Symington and causing severe interference to Cavalry Call and Gold Horseshoe. Rock Me Over was inconvenienced during the early incident, and he did well to run on from sixth at the bell to finish third.
“It’s good for Alta Rhett to get a win,” said Hall. “He has been an honest old performer, and it’s good to see him still racing with such zest. Potentially, there’s more wins in store for him. He has that key ingredient for Gloucester Park, and that’s gate speed.”
Alta Rhett has raced 133 times for 15 wins, 45 placings and stakes of $213,834. He is by Alta Christiano and is the fourth foal out of Justlikechocolate, who had 48 starts for 13 wins, 19 placings and $188,937.
His win on Friday night gave Hall his fourth win on the nine-event program, following successes with Abitsiya, Ideal Tomado and Finvarra.