Extra Malt Wins In Astonishing Fashion

GRAHAM Hall was still shaking his head on Friday morning finding it hard to believe what he saw.

Extra Malt (Paw Licking-It Gets Better) staged one of the most memorable performances to win a 520m 3rd-4th Grade at Albion Park on Thursday night.

Normally a moderate beginner, the bitch was midfield coming to the first turn where she was severely checked and knocked back to a clear last.

Turning into the back straight she was giving very smart Albion Park performers Magical Bill and Luminosity at least 15 lengths start.

Graham's wife Leanne, in the catching pen waiting for the bitch, was resigned to her finishing well back.

“When she started to make a move in the back straight I thought she might have got into third,” said Graham.

WOW, What a run, What a Win.
Albion Park Thur Oct 28 2021
Race 6, 3/4 grade. 520m
Box 4 Extra Malt – Leanne Hall (personal run home time 12.39)
29.97 (5.51 – 11.59 – 12.87) 1/2 x 1/2 pic.twitter.com/9qiofiZffU

— John Brasch (@Bunny_Brasch) October 28, 2021

But Extra Malt unleashed a devastating finish to zoom over the top of Magical Bill to win by half-a-length with another half length to Luminosity.

“The fact she came from 15 lengths off the leaders going past the 710 metre boxes and still won in 29.97 proves what a memorable run it was,” said Graham. “I still can't believe she did what she did.”

It was Extra Malt's 20th win in 39 starts and victory took her stakes earnings to $129,000.

“It was an even more memorable performance because there was such a huge crowd at the track on Thursday night,” said Graham.

“It's a holiday today (Friday) and the young crowd on track got to see something special.”

Hall is devastated at having to shut down a trip to Victoria with Extra Malt and her equally as good litter sister Spotted Elk because of Covid.

“It would have been fine going to Victoria, but the quarantine restrictions when we got were just too much. The logistics of getting back put paid to the trip.”

Hall, and kennel advisor Bill Warner, had wanted to run Extra Malt in the Group 1 Hume Cup series and Spotted Elk had also been among the early Topgun invitees.

“It's a shame but there are some good races coming up for them both up here as well,” said Hall. “Both will head towards the Ipswich Gold Cup.”

Hall continued to be amazed at Extra Malt's performance.

“Not a lot of bitches chase like that,” he said. “And, what a great call from Johnny Brasch.”