Red Ora wins Bunbury Stakes

Albany gelding Red Ora blew the favourites away to claim a win in the $120,000 Amelia Park Bunbury Stakes (1400m) at the Bunbury Turf Club today.

The Mungrup Stud six-year-old put in a massive effort down the straight to overtake a strong pack to win from pre-race favourite Oliver’s Travels ($4).

Red Ora ($11), trained by Steve Wolfe, was five out at the turn before pushing to the line to win by three-quarters of a length.

Jockey Shaun McGruddy said he purposely took off early at the turn to get some distance on the pack.

“With the weight I thought I would get him rolling and I just thought if he was in top gear at the top of the straight, he would take some running down,” he said.

Wolfe said he was a good horse while with former Daniel Morton and credited him for the horse’s strength.

He said everything was going right before the race and he was confident of victory.

“We were taking on graduation horses today without being disrespectful,” he said.

“He is an easy horse to train. They all are the good ones.”

Lark Hill trainer Darren McAuliffe also had reason to celebrate after Abdicator won the $100,000 Rangeview Stud Classic (1400m) earlier in the day.

Ridden by Daniel Staeck, the promising three-year-old sprinter was the favourite at $4 heading into the race and did not let McAuliffe down, working his way past challenger Salubrious at the 150m mark who was quickly running out of steam.

McAuliffe said it was a tough effort.

“The race went well for him and Dan rode well for him,” he said.

McAuliffe said he was a little disappointed that Abdicator missed the kick early and gave Salubrious the lead.

“When they step out half a step flow it is a little bit frustrating,” he said.

McAuliffe said the classic was his “grand final”.

“We will get another run out of him,” he said.