Sydney Stakes Victory for Alberton Park (NZ)

Honest racemare Alberton Park (NZ) picked up her first stakes victory fresh up on Saturday in the A$100,000 Listed June Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill.

Given a cracking ride by jockey Tommy Berry, five-year-old Alberton Park (Thorn Park x Alberton Star) jumped well from barrier four to settle in sixth place near the rail off a furious pace.

However, the John O'Shea trained mare had to work as she found trouble inside the last 200 metres when boxed in by Stratana (Stratum). In a smart ride and a hard fought victory, the daughter of Thorn Park was brought across the heels of Stratana and produced a powerful finishing burst to win by three quarters of a length.

Alberton Park has been racing against some tough competition, including running a last start sixth in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) to Ofcourseican (Mossman). In her two races leading into the Group 1 she was twice stakes placed in the Listed Triscay Stakes (1200m) and Listed Wenona Girl (1200m).

Alberton Park is the 16th stakes winner for her sire Thorn Park who stands at Windsor Park Stud. New Zealand's reigning champion sire, Thorn Park has had a successful season with the likes of top gallopers Veyron and Ocean Park and currently sits in second place on the NZ Sires Premiership by earnings for this season behind O'Reilly.

Bred by Mr E Kerr-Taylor & Anne Storey, Alberton Park was purchased by Lakeview Stud from Windsor Park Stud at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2008 Premier Sale for $200,000. Her dam Alberton Star (Stylish Century) won the Group 2 Taranaki 2YO Classic and Group 3 Eclipse Stakes.

Raced by E-Thoroughbred Pty Ltd and Mr L Nestadt, Alberton Park has now won seven of her 34 starts with 16 additional placings and just shy of $500,000 in stakes.