Trainers riding a wave of success

By David Nagel
CRANBOURNE trainers Colin and Cindy Alderson could be off to Sydney next week with promising stayer Sea Galleon following his effortless win in Saturday’s $70,000 D’Urban Handicap at Betfair Park Sandown.
The Galileo gelding made it two city wins in as many Saturday’s when he backed up last week’s Moonee Valley success with a four-length stroll in the park in the 2400-metre event.
Co-trainer Cindy Alderson was thrilled with the effort by the five-year-old, who could have earned himself a crack at Black Type company.
“I might even give some consideration to taking him to Sydney because I’ve always been keen to see him go that way,” said Alderson, who trains Sea Galleon in partnership with her father Colin.
“Every time we’ve worked him track work that way, the riders say that he’s incredibly comfortable. I think there’s a race called the Christmas Cup up there.”
The $100,000 Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) will be run at Rosehill on Saturday 10 December.
A confident Peter Mertens ride helped the $2.05 favourite to a four-length win over Musical Hit ($6) on Saturday with Onerahi Bay ($21) two lengths back in third.
Mertens settled Sea Galleon midfield one off the fence, got a lovely drag into the race when Craig Newitt surged to the lead aboard Apprehend rounding the home bend before cruising to the front 400m out and careering away for the fourth win of his 19-start career.
“He was a little bit keen (early), I just had to get cover and once I had cover he just travelled really sweetly,” Mertens said.
“When the speed went on, when ‘Froggy’ (Newitt) tried to take off there at the 600 or 700 metre mark, he just picked them up. He was always going to win.”