Keayang Bazlenka is set to be given a break and aimed for the big two-year-old features at the back end of the season after completing a memorable start to his racing career this week.
The Marg and Paddy-trained son of What The Hill won on debut against older horses at Terang on Wednesday and backed it up with a powerhouse victory over his juvenile counterparts at Melton Entertainment Park on Saturday night.
Driver Jason Lee settled third on the pegs through the early stages of the Hygain Victory 2YO Trot, and was gifted second place when Mystical Truscott broke just before the bell. This gave Keayang Bazlenka a great trip in behind free-running leader Truscotts Elegance, and the unbeaten gelding powered past him in the sprint to the line to win by 13.1m in a mile rate of 1:58.6 (1720m).
“He was terrific, and he was a bit more relaxed tonight than his run at Terang the other day,” Jason Lee said.
“The tempo was pretty genuine – Herb (James Herbertson on Truscotts Elegance) was bowling along out in front – but he was good, he did everything right.
“He probably had a real good look around and got a little lost when he got out in front, so he’s still learning and hopefully he’ll just keep getting better.
“We really like him, but we haven’t really pushed him and he does everything so easy.
“He’s going to be a really nice little two-year-old. Hopefully we can keep him sound, happy and in one piece, and when the good races come around he should be right up into it.”
Geelong supporter Paddy Lee named Keayang Bazlenka after star footballer Bailey Smith, who has joined the Cats for this season and is one of the fancies for the Brownlow Medal.
Emma Stewart trained five winners on Saturday night’s 10-race card, with star New South Wales reinsman Cameron Hart partnering three of them.
Hart was at the controls as Bay Of Biscay, Let Her Roll and Storms Collide all prevailed in their respective assignments.
The night’s other treble was achieved by James Herbertson, who teamed up to win with Hes From Heaven and Dichotomy for Jess Tubbs, and Im Bobby for Eddie Tappe.
