Canberra Cup to Almost Court (NZ)

$36,000 Select Sale purchase Almost Court (NZ) (Alamosa) picked up the seventh win of his 15 start career and his first at stakes level in Sunday’s A$200,000 Listed tab.com.au Canberra Cup (2000m).

With Christian Reith in the saddle, the gelding led throughout the race and held on gamely to win by a long head.

Almost Court began his career in New Zealand, where he won once from six starts. Owner Brian Court then sent him to Canberra trainers Barbara Joseph and Paul Jones, and Court now shares ownership with a syndicate that includes a number of first-time owners.

With seven wins and three placings from 15 starts, Almost Court has earned A$237,720 in prize-money – more than six times his purchase price.

"There's a crew of 10 blokes who have their first horse and they think the game's that easy," Jones said.

“This horse has come on in leaps and bounds. He probably went a little bit keen down the back straight but (Reith) got him back under him at the 1000 till the 400 metres and he was able to kick at the top of the straight.”

Bred by Cambridge Hunt Ltd, B M Hancock and CJG McFarlane, Almost Court is by Alamosa out of the multiple Group 1-winning Victory Dance mare Cinder Bella (NZ).