Alfa Oro wins at The Valley (Image: Racing Photos)
A successful Valley reconnaissance has Matt Laurie dreaming of Manikato Stakes glory with emerging sprinter Alfa Oro, who continued his rise through the ranks with an easy win in Friday night’s opening heat of the Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge (955m).
The son of Bachelor has long been held in high regard but a series of setbacks has limited the five-year-old’s career to only eight starts.
Friday night’s win, which came under Ben Melham in a time of 55.90, was his fifth in succession and Laurie confirmed it had earned him a crack in Stakes grade, with the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) or Group 2 Caulfield Stakes (1000m) likely to be his next assignment.
Laurie said next month’s Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) could also be an option for Alfa Oro.
“It was pretty easy in the end, wasn't it, so I'm happy to keep his winning run going for the moment,” Laurie said.
“We'll step him up to Stakes grade now.
“It was part of the plan also to give him a look (at The Valley), should he get the job done next start, perhaps there's a race for him here further on that might suit.
"He's doing everything very well."
WATCH: Alfa Oro wins at The Valley.
Sportsbet reacted immediately to Friday night’s win, slashing Alfa Oro’s Manikato Stakes quote from $34 to $17.