In a race which featured the silks of Cox Plate stars Winx and Hartnell, Mitchell Bell made sure things didn’t follow a similar script at Kembla Grange.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Less than ten minutes before Chris Waller’s champion mare dismantled a top grade field at Moonee Valley, the Illawarra Turf Club had a familiar battle on its hands.
Godolphin’s Sisken and the Waller trained first starter Kenric, which wears the same Magic Bloodstock silks as his superstar stablemate, were both well in the market for the Baines Masonry Maiden Handicap (1400m).
But it was John Thompson’s wildcard The Grandson, ridden by Bell, that stole the show.
The three-year-old colt – coincidentally by 2004 Cox Plate winner Savabeel – produced a slashing run down the outside to break his maiden.
“It was nice to see him do that,” Bell said.
“They stacked up at the 600m there which didn’t help us so I had to make a move and not try and be able to do that.
“He goes nicely and we were able to put them away which was good.”
The Grandson was a $4.20 hope in his second run this preparation behind Sisken held favouritism at $2.10.
Kenric firmed as a $6 hope in his first race start before going on to finish sixth.
Bell settled second last on The Grandson in the run, but opted to edge closer coming around the home turn.
He hit the front at the furlong mark and extended nicely past Gwenda Markwell’s Stand Alert to salute by a 1-¼ lengths at the post.
Stand Alert, ridden by leading apprentice Brock Ryan, initially finished second but was stripped of the placing in the stewards room.
Stewards ruled Ryan had caused interference to Sisken at the 200m and the Godolphin runner was awarded the runner-up spot.
Ryan was also charged with careless riding in the incident and will serve a suspension from this Monday until Melbourne Cup day.
The winner meanwhile looks destined for better races. And Bell believes that will come over longer distances.
“Yeah he definitely [get further,” he said.
“He is still a bit raw this horse.
“The more he matures the better he will get I think especially over some ground.”
The win on The Grandson completed a running double for Bell, who won the previous race on Dark Steel for Peter and Paul Snowden.
Dark Steel was locked in a stirring battle with local favourite Old Man Sam in the straight and just got his nose down on the line to beat Mick Tubman’s six-year-old.
Bell also had two seconds on the day to wrap up the jockeys challenge.
