Wolfe races clear of rivals in trainers’ premiership

Victories to consistent type Jester Rock and maiden galloper Poldark’s Girl have stretched Steve Wolfe’s lead at the top of the Great Southern Trainers’ Premiership to six after last Friday’s Tradies Day meeting in Albany.

Another double to the leading Albany trainer took his tally to nine wins so far in the Great Southern season, and Wolfe was a chance to add to that with nine runners at the Boxing Day meet on Tuesday.

Jester Rock was well supported into a $2.60 favourite in the Aqua Ice Handicap (1500m) and continued his stellar record in Albany, downing the fast-finishing Lord Kronos ($2.80 chance) by a half head.

Jockey Shaun McGruddy sat the seven-year-old midfield before he sprinted clear in the home straight to notch his fifth win at the track from 12 starts.

“He is racing more consistently than he ever has,” Wolfe said.

“I’d love to think he’d win a race in town.”

Wolfe and McGruddy then made it back-to-back wins after taking out the GWN7 Maiden (1230m) with five-year-old Poldark’s Girl.

The Oratorio mare finished seventh at her first start for Wolfe in Mt Barker earlier this month, but sat on speed and proved too strong in a tight tussle with Scandal Lass on the line to win by a short head.

“I thought she would go close,” he said. “She is well bred and has taken time. She can win again down here.”

Meanwhile, Our Buddy Boy continued his terrific form since coming to the Albany stables of Rebecca Wallrodt, winning his fifth race in 28 starts.

Hoop Jason Whiting led in the small field and the six-year-old gelding was far too strong after dictating terms to down Babble by one length.

Our Buddy Boy has now won four times for Wallrodt and two of those have been this campaign.

It was an emotional result for Oakford trainer Paul Tapper after Dust Me Off won the Tabtouch Handicap (1900m) by a length earlier in the day.

“I’ve had two years of hell with this horse,” Tapper said.

“It was my mum’s horse and she died in April, so that’s his first win since and it brought a tear to my eye.”