Bertus stakes claim for town assignment

By Jordan Gerrans

Hobby trainer Kim Anderson believes Bertus is up to winning in city grade after earning his second provincial victory of the season at Ipswich last Thursday.

The four-year-old knocked over his maiden at Caloundra over a mile in the middle of September last year.

After a break over the summer months, the son of Stratum Star secured the second win of his career at Ipswich last Thursday with a tough victory over 1350 metres.

Hoop Mark Du Plessis jumped from a wide barrier at Ipswich in the Ratings Band 0 – 58 Handicap and Bertus was strong to the line to score by a short margin.

The 65-year-old Anderson has tried Bertus in metropolitan company on a few occasions over the last year and she believes he has come back well enough this preparation to win in town.

“It was quite a nice, strong performance,” Anderson said of the recent Ipswich run.

“He's sprinting a lot better this time in than last time.

“I thought he was going to get over ground. 

"But, on his trial and also his run the other day at Doomben, when he should have run a place, but he got held up for a fair way, this trip suits him.

“I might just keep him to the 1350 or 1400 metres for the next few runs before I take him up to a mile.

“Because he's showing a lot more ping this time in, it's whether he gets any further than a mile, I'm just not sure.

“But, he is a very good breathing horse, so he sort of gives me that indication that he would.

“But, at the moment, I'm not going to push him too much further while he's being competitive at the shorter distances.”

Bertus was previously prepared by Edward O'Rourke in New South Wales before Anderson purchased the gelding online.

She owns the galloper alongside Mark O'Brien.

Bertus' run of form has provided a welcome return to the winners' list for the Anderson camp, which trains out of Hendra.

Bertus' two victories this season are the stable's first since the 2021-22 season.

Anderson is retired from the workforce these days after previously being employed by the tax office. 

She has trained out of the Northern Rivers of NSW and Townsville in North Queensland during her decades with a licence dating back to 1985. 

Anderson was based in Townsville for around a decade before relocating to Brisbane on the back of the success of former smart two-year-old Lucky Moments.

Lucky Moments won on four occasions at Cluden Park in his early racing days before eventually winning a couple of races in the city as an older horse. 

Bertus is likely to be back at the races on Wednesday of next week in a 1350 metre Benchmark 65 Handicap event.

Set to third-up this preparation, Anderson is hopeful he will be able to win for the first time in the city. 

“He probably would have to show that same sort of finish over a bit more ground, over a mile at least, to be competitive in the city class,” she said.

“He's certainly paid for himself.”

Anderson is listed as training from Eagle Farm, but also regularly uses Doomben to work her team.

She has been based in the area since the late 1990s.

The hobby trainer also prepares maiden galloper Elroy and three-year-old Top Design, who is yet to be seen publicly.