Staying Is Almodovar’s Game

11 April 2011

Almodovar may have a long way to go to match the deeds of the outstanding stayer Galilee but the progressive son of WS’s Pins has made an encouraging start.

The three-year-old completed a hat-trick of victories at the weekend when he won the Listed event at Caulfield named after the New Zealand-bred galloper who completed the 1966 Caulfield and Melbourne Cups double.

Trained by Peter Moody who purchased the gelding at Karaka in 2009 for $60,000, Almodovar has made giant strides since the leading Melbourne conditioner stepped him out over ground.

He won his maiden at Pakenham over 1700 metres before winning his Galilee heat over 2000 metres last month and then made short work of his rivals in the final with a dominant display over 2400 metres in Saturday’s final.

“He’s really going the right way as far as staying goes and every time he steps up in distance, he steps up to the plate,” Moody’s assistant trainer Tom Brideoake told the Melbourne Age.

“It’s good to get the black-type win, but we’ll just see how he pulls up before deciding where he goes next.”

A half-brother to the dual Gr 1 winner Perlin (Doomben Cup, Underwood Stakes), Almodovar is out of the stakes-winning Kaapstad mare (My) Midnight Madam. He is now likely to head toward the VRC St Leger and/or the South Australian Derby.

The Corner with Garry Chittick

It is not the easiest role, that of Chairman of our Thoroughbred Racing Board. Like all chairmanships, one’s mind is rarely not occupied with the responsibility. To our Chairman, I say thanks. A lifetime in the industry, Chairman of our largest club, it is difficult to identify someone more suited to the role.

14 May 2026

Sav’s girl Chispa targeting the Gr.1 Oaks

Savabeel filly Chispa enhanced her Queensland Oaks credentials with a dominant Randwick victory for Chris Waller and James McDonald, with the Pencarrow Stud-bred and raced filly surging clear over 1800 metres in impressive fashion.