Monday, 19 March 2012:
Up and coming miler Straight Albert will tread the same path towards the Doncaster used successfully by trainer Guy Walter with Patezza seven years ago, starting with Wednesday's Group Three Newmarket at Newcastle.
Patezza won the Newmarket (1400m), ran second to stablemate Court's In Session in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) before leading in an historic Walter trifecta in the 2005 Doncaster beating Court's In Session with Danni Martine third over the tough 1600 metres at Randwick.
Kathy O'Hara, whose best Group One result so far was second on the Walter-trained Johan's Toy in the 2005 Epsom Handicap, said she was looking forward to getting back aboard Straight Albert on Wednesday.
O'Hara has ridden Straight Albert to three of his four wins including the Goulburn Cup since he joined the Walter stable last spring.
"The Newmarket may be a little short of his best but he is a good horse fresh," O'Hara said.
"We are trying to get him into the Doncaster with a light weight.
"He probably needs to win to get in."
Straight Albert is on a traffic jam on 52kg and the low 40s in ballot order for the Doncaster but the attrition rate over the next few weeks and the possibility of a penalty for a Newmarket win will help him make the field.
Straight Albert is a $17 chance in the Doncaster on April 21 and at $15 for the Newcastle feature with Fast Clip the $3.80 favourite.
Trainer Gai Waterhouse is also keen for Fast Clip to stake his claim to join her Doncaster team.
"He runs in the Newmarket at Newcastle with Nash aboard," she said.
New Zealander He's Remarkable is another looking to book his Doncaster ticket at Newcastle where Corey Brown will ride.
He's Remarkable was first past the post in the Group One Railway Stakes in Perth during the summer but lost the race on protest after Kerrin McEvoy was found guilty of causing interference shortly after the field turned for home.
Brown rode He's Remarkable when the horse finished third in the Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley in October but suspension cost him the winning ride at Flemington at his next start.
"I'm really happy to get back on him," Brown said.
"I rode him at his first start here in Australia but when I was suspended Kerrin got the ride."
He's Remarkable is a $7 chance on Wednesday.
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