Grand Returns

Hulking chestnut Almost Grand returned to the track with a tenacious win in the TAB.com.au Maiden Plate at Kembla Grange on Friday, rewarding the patience of his connections and shedding his maiden status at just his third start.

Aptly named for his incredible size, Almost Grand raced just off the speed on settling before unleashing a powerful run into the straight. The gelding responded well under the urgings of jockey Jason Collett to hold off a driving challenge from race favourite O’Reilly’s Angel by half a length.

With his short career plagued by injury and leg complaints, a win first up after a long spell demonstrates the patience of not only his owner, but trainer David Pfieffer.

“It’s great for the owner Julia Richie and her farm Wild Oaks that have the rehab work with him, Julia was really patient with the horse and it’s so good to reward that with the win” described Pfieffer.

Collett was full of praise for the stable’s efforts and was positive the gelding had a bright future.

“Full credit to David for getting him back to the races” said Collett.

The Monashee Mountain gelding showed promise with two lead up trials, the latest being a good third behind Sweet Fire and Kumaon at Rosehill in February.