Alverta will hope for a return to form in the Stradbroke Handicap
Alverta has raced in weight for age Group One company at six of her previous seven starts. Her weight on Saturday (53kg) represents the lowest weight she has had to carry since December 2008.
The seven year old mare will also appreciate the step up in distance to 1400m. Most of Alverta’s recent runs have come over the 1200-1300m range. There is no doubt she will be suited by the extra trip as she was able to win the Group One Coolmore Classic at Rosehill last year.
Alverta has drawn the extreme outside gate for the Stradbroke but Messara managed to look at the positives.
“She’s going well but we’ve certainly got the visitors gate.” Messara said.
“We’ll stay out of trouble but that is about the only positive.”
Alverta’s form doesn’t exactly jump off the page but Messara believes the mare is going well enough to warrant another crack at Group One race.
She was getting home well when she finished fourth behind Black Caviar in the Darley TJ Smith Stakes, and then laboured on the heavy track in the All Aged Stakes taken out by Hay List. At her last start she was forced to lug 58.5kg, and that proved too much in the Glenlogan Stakes at Doomben.
“There were no excuses last start but I think she will improve with the run.” Messara said.
“She gets a good weight drop and she’s a good horse. We’ll ride her conservatively and this is her ideal distance.”
“As I said before she is going well so if she gets some luck she can improve.”
Alverta will be having her fourth start back in Australia after a semi-successful European campaign last year.
Alverta was unplaced in the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot, however she showed her quality by finishing third behind fellow Aussie Starspangledbanner in the Group One July Cup at Newmarket. Her European odyssey ended when she finished down the track in a Group One 1300m at Deauville in France.
Alverta, who will be ridden by local jockey Glen Colless, is currently rated a $61.00 chance in Saturday’s Stradbroke Handicap.
