The 10-year-old gelding son of Village Jasper showed his brilliant standing start manners in the $14,000 event, to find the lead with the trainer’s cousin, Gareth Rattray, in the sulky.
Gareth was pleased to make the race a sprint home after the first two quarters of the final mile were recorded in 32.5 seconds and 32.5 seconds, before upping the pace over the final 804 meters in 29.8 seconds and 28.2 seconds.
Alberio ($4) was too quick to leave Kostyuk Leis ($14) and Repetitive ($19) in a mile pace of 2:05.2s.
“His standing start manners are one of his biggest advantages, and they help him get into the right places. He’s a very honest horse, he’s not a superstar, and I think he’s racing better than he was 12 months ago as he’s now getting those 2100m races,” Neville said.
“We sneak around the suburbs trying to raise a dollar with him, and that’s what he does for us.”
The pacer, who had four previous trainers before being bought by Neville along with Susan Leersen in 2023, has now amassed 14 wins, 39 placings and just over $117,000 in prize money.
“He was a lot of fun and he’s a great horse to have around. We’ll have a good summer with him going to all the country tracks.”
“We’re bringing him back to Burnie on March 13, he should be close to leading the Horse of the Year there, and that would be nice to pick up.”
Neville obtained his trainer’s license in 2022 after retiring, and he also had success as a thoroughbred trainer in the late 1990s.
The trainer currently has several young horses on trial.
“When I was messing around with the older horses, I already knew the younger horses were where to be,” Marcel said.
by Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
#Gareth #Rattray #drives #Uncle #Nevs #Alberio #cup #glory