Straturbo trials well for comeback

Tough Sydney sprinter Straturbo has trialled well as he prepares to make a return to Brisbane.

Much-travelled sprinter Straturbo has trialled well in preparation for his return to Brisbane racing at Doomben.

Straturbo , who has raced in the three east coast capital cities, has in-form claiming apprentice Ruby Ride aboard in the Open Handicap (1110m).

The Gary Portelli-trained gelding has a good record at Doomben of seven starts for two wins and three minor placings.

Starturbo raced in Queensland in the winter and was a close second to star mare Tumbler at his most recent Brisbane start.

The eight-year-old gelding’s last win was in the Bribie Handicap at Doomben in December and he also won the Magic Millions Sprint at the Gold Coast in 2015.

Portelli picked out Saturday’s race for Straturbo several weeks ago.

“There is nothing for him in Sydney at the moment and he does like Doomben. It looks a nice race for him,” Portelli said.

Straturbo has had two trials in the lead-up to Saturday’s race for a fourth at Warwick Farm and a handy win at Rosehill two weeks ago.

“He isn’t getting any younger so we gave him a pretty easy trial for the first one but he was solid in the second,” Portelli said.

Straturbo was handicapped at 59kg for Saturday’s race but Ride’s claimdrops him to 56kg.

“I have plenty of respect for Brisbane’s sprinters and the claim will help him,” Portelli said.