Racing: Cast-off captures Coolmore Classic

A sales reject who was retired in the spring and only had her racing career resurrected when she failed to get into foal has delivered young trainer Paul Messara his first Group One victory.

Alverta swept to a dominant two-length win in yesterday's Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill, defeating the Gai Waterhouse-trained Gold Water with favourite Palacio De Cristal a luckless third after missing the start.

Messara only began training a few years ago and Alverta was one of the first horses in his stable, making her Coolmore triumph all the sweeter.

"She was my first city winner, my first stakes winner and now my first Group One winner," Messara said. "She's a very special mare for us."

Alverta was bred by Messara's father, Arrowfield Stud supremo John, but her less than perfect conformation meant she was passed in at the yearling sales.

She was Group One-placed in the 2008 Winter Stakes before being retired to stud and served by Charge Forward but when she didn't get into foal her racing career was revived.

"She was a bit of an old tart in the barn, they had a bit of trouble with her".

For winning jockey Tye Angland it was his second elite victory after taking out the Stradbroke Handicap aboard Black Piranha and he said the feeling was just as good second time around.

"It's a great feeling no matter how many you win. It's special," Angland said.

Waterhouse was "over the moon" with Gold Water's effort from her outside draw after convincing her owner to run her in the Coolmore.

- AAP