Déjà Vu for Albert

 There was a sense of déjà vu at Goulburn on a cool winter’s afternoon when Big Albert returned to a cheering group of owners after making it two wins on the trot over the mile.

Partnered by the same jockey who had guided the son of Magic Albert to victory at the same track and distance just two weeks prior, Big Albert handled the precarious step from maiden class to an open benchmark 60 handicap by the barest of margins.

Despite being sent out a $3 favourite and the “best bet of the day” as declared by Sky Racing presenter John Scorse, Big Albert endured a less-than perfect trip around the Goulburn circuit, jumping only fairly to settle third last and taking his time in rounding up the leaders over the final furlong, much to the dismay of both punters and connections.

“He jumped alright but Jay (Ford) elected to settle him at the rear of the field and bide his time” commented the winning trainer, who watched the race from his Sydney base.

“He did seem to settle well though which shows he is really learning to relax in his races”.

Big Albert isn’t the prettiest animal to watch when in full flight, with a high head carriage and long stride that resembles a tall teenage boy who tries athletics for the first time; unsure of himself and wanting to just run with the pack.

Yet when he knuckles down to the task, he certainly has an effective sprint.

“He is really good over the last furlong of his races, he balances up and once he gets (a whip) around the backside he leaps out of the ground and flashes home” Pfieffer said.

To the naked eye it looked as though Hard Go Jo to the inside had held off the late charge to score by a nostril, and as the pair crossed the line together both jockeys looked to one another in bewilderment as to who had taken the race.

Two starts prior the awkward camera angle on the winning post at Kembla Grange meant connections had hoped their big gelding had grabbed third on the line, only to be disappointed when a different number was flashed on screen.

The luck was finally in Team Pfieffer’s favour when number 4 was announced as the winner just a few minutes after the finish.

Jockey Jay Ford was pleased to deliver another win but admitted the horse did himself no favours in the run to the line.

“He really wanted to hang in very badly today, probably a lot worse than the last time I rode him” he said, making fists and gesturing a lack of power steering as he gave his race post-mortem.

“Riding him back in the field is definitely the key to him now...he did make it hard for himself and probably should have won by a length further.

“After two solid wins and now heading for a break if he continues to improve the way he is he has plenty of upside left in him” said Ford.

“A nose is as good as eight lengths when you have a win” beamed John Scorse as he rounded out his coverage of the race for the broadcaster, to the jeers of the small crowd on course.

Big Albert has now rewarded his connections with two first prize cheques and BOBs bonus wins in the space of two weeks. A quiet paddock beckons for the gentle giant who looks set for even better races when he returns as a 4yo next season.