It took Michael Bellman 28 years to land his first Group 1 success and now he seemingly wins them for fun thanks to his exciting young trotter Mecarno.
Mecarno ($1.50 fav) chalked up his third Group 1 win in the past six weeks with Bellman in the sulky when he led most of the way in the Breeders Crown (3YO Trotting Colts & Geldings) Final at Melton on Saturday night.
With his main danger Enchauffour on his back, Mecarno reeled off a 27.7 last 400 metres to score by seven metres in a mile rate of 1:58.5.
A delighted Bellman savoured another Group 1 victory after the race.
“They all get sweeter,” Bellman said.
Bellman revealed the winner’s Breeders Crown preparation wasn’t ideal.
“With good horses comes a lot of stress and he’s given us a few headaches this week, worrying about allergies and stuff like that. I’ve got no words, he’s just a star,” he said.
“He deserves a good little break now and we’ll come back and see what his spoils are next year.”
The son of Tactical Landing is raced by Gary and Tracey Hull, who bred the horse.
“Gary and Tracey had a plan to go to the best stallions so they can compete against the best and they’ve got their moment in the sun with an absolute star and I just can’t thank them enough for entrusting me with him,” he said.
Former NSW horsewoman Amy Day enjoyed a milestone victory when she landed the first Group 1 win of her career after Adelaide Red caused a boilover in the 2YO Trotting Fillies Final at odds of $51.
Adelaide Red enjoyed the run of the race on the back of the leader Elle Perfecto and an upset was looming when Day appeared to have a lapful of horse around the home turn.
The daughter of Pastor Stephen made full use of the sprint lane and darted through along the inside to score by a neck from Elle Perfecto in a mile rate of 2:01.4.
Day attributed the win to her father Neil, who trains a team in Goulburn.
“I know my name is down as trainer and driver of this Group 1 but this is probably as much Dad’s Group 1 as it is mine,” Day said.
“She deserves the win, this little filly. She has been a terrific little racehorse and it’s great to have this win next to her name,” she said.
The Marg and Paddy Lee trained Keayang Bazlenka confirmed his ranking as the country’s premier juvenile trotter when he completed the Vicbred Super Series and Breeders Crown double.
Jason Lee eased three wide on Keayang Bazlenka ($1.25 fav) with 400 metres to travel and the son of What The Hill rounded up Howdy Mate in the home straight, with the pair streeting the others headed by Munny The Monster.
“We love him, he’s a stable favourite and he’s pretty good,” Lee said.
The win capped off a highly successful season for the Lee outfit.
“Mum and my uncles set out a plan about five years ago to try and get all our horses racing in these big races and thankfully, with a lot of hard work and investment, it’s starting to pay off,” he said.
Lee completed a driving double when he steered the Antti Ruokonen prepared Keayang Kurki ($16) to victory in the 3YO Trotting Fillies Final.
Lee said the daughter of Royalty For Life was proving a prudent investment after winning last year’s Vicbred Super Series (2YO Trotting Fillies) Final.
“It just goes to show that with a $5000 or $6000 purchase from the sales, you don’t have to be big, just have a big heart,” he said.
“Any horse that can win one Group 1, let alone two, I’ve got a real soft spot for this one.”
