Racing: Four in a row for Wanganui Guineas winner

Training partner Stephen Autridge, pictured with Cheshire, says Alberto simply looked the part at last year's sales. File picture

Wanganui Guineas winner Alberto is a horse many wanted.

That was evident enough when he cost $77,500 at the National Yearling Sales at Karaka, south Auckland, last year with the successful bid going to transtasman trainer Graeme Rogerson.

Rogerson's New Zealand training partner Stephen Autridge said Alberto simply looked the part at the sales.

"He was a stand-out yearling colt," Autridge said after Alberto posted his fourth win in succession to take out Saturday's $50,000 Wanganui Guineas (1320m) for 3-year-olds.

"Every time he wins, someone comes up and says, 'I wanted to buy him'."

The Magic Albert colt has raced five times with only one defeat which came at his first start when second at Trentham last March.

Alberto is now headed for higher honours amongst the 3-year-olds.

His next main mission is the group two $100,000 Hawkes Bay Guineas (1400m) at Hastings on October 7. Also on the agenda is the group one $300,000 Two Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 18.

Track conditions for Saturday's race were heavy but Alberto had won on a dead track at his previous start which indicates he might not be inconvenienced as tracks firm over the spring.

"He goes in any ground," Autridge said.

"[Rider] Jason Waddell said yesterday he was all right in it [the heavy ground] but he would like it better."

The win was a timely one for Waddell. He had been stable rider for Matamata trainer John Sargent but was sacked about two weeks ago.

"He wasn't happy with me, so he let me go," Waddell said.

"I was pretty disappointed to be sacked from John's because I enjoyed it there."

As a consequence he will not be the rider of the Sargent-trained Naturo this season.

She was a highly promising 2-year-old filly of last season when she had three starts for two wins and a fourth in the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes.

"I was devastated to lose the ride on Naturo; that really hurt."

Autridge said Waddell could be offered a position as a stable rider but nothing had been confirmed.

Waddell, 20, was a leading apprentice when based in the lower North Island, and had his share of success from a stint in Singapore.

Waddell had Alberto, a $2.45 favourite, three wide outside the leader approaching the home straight and had gone to the lead half-way down the straight.

A challenge was lodged by Figueres but Alberto rallied to score by half a length.

"He a fighter this horse. He just plays with them; he just does enough," said Autridge.

Figueres fought well for second while two lengths away third was second favourite Keep The Message who raced outside the leader most of the way.

- NZPA