John Dunne
Gun reinsman James Herbertson entrenched himself on the big stage with a winning treble of Breeders Crown Finals on Saturday night at Melton.
Herbertson completed the hat trick of wins when he partnered Let Her Roll to victory in the Breeders Crown (2YO Fillies) Final.
Let Her Roll was unable to cross the NSW filly Sugar Pie Honey from her wide draw and Herbertson had to be content with facing the breeze on the $1.22 popular elect.
The two leaders cleared out from their rivals on straightening, and despite fighting back gamely, Sugar Pie Honey was unable to stave off the final challenge from Let Her Roll who got the verdict by a head in a mile rate of 1:54.7.
Herbertson was aware the filly needed to produce her best to prevail from the barrier (six).
“She had to be at her best tonight and thankfully she was and it’s lucky they don’t pay on margins,” Herbertson said.
Prior to Saturday night Herbertson hadn’t won a Breeders Crown Final and said the evening provided the highlight of a highly successful year.
“Growing up watching the Breeders Crown as the pinnacle of aged racing in Australasia and to be able to get three is pretty spectacular, it’s been a great year and this has really capped it off,” he said.
NSW raider Mac Bon claimed the local scalps when he took out the Breeders Crown (2YO Colts & Geldings) Final.
The Luke McCarthy trained and driven youngster settled on the back of the leader Arsenio with the wayward $2.70 favourite Hesitate facing the breeze.
Arsenio attempted to steal a winning break around the home turn however Mac Bon was able to reel in the leader and score in a mile rate of 1:53.7.
McCarthy, who had just returned home from a stint in the U.S, acknowledged the efforts of those who have cared for the winner in recent weeks.
“He’s a very relaxed customer, it’s great to get a good horse on board,” McCarthy said.
“A big thank you to Peter and Isabel Walsh who have looked after him in their stables, also to Craig Cross and Brian Rossiter who have done all the work with him while I was in America,” he said.
The Emma Stewart trained filly Kiss, with James Herbertson in the sulky, outstayed her rivals in the Breeders Crown (3YO Fillies) Final.
Despite working before sitting parked outside her stable mate Waterfront, Kiss rallied in the home straight after appearing a beaten conveyance around the home turn.
Herbertson said he still had visions of victory around the final bend.
“I knew she had more to give and just needed Sweetnikkilou to get up on the outside to get her going,” Herbertson said.
“She lacks a bit of high speed but she is tough and keeps coming, it was a big effort,” he said.
Earlier in the night the Stewart prepared colt Some American shed the bridesmaid tag when he scored a long overdue win in the Breeders Crown (3YO Colts & Geldings) Final.
Kate Gath rated Some American perfectly in the lead with the race developing into a sprint home in a slick 25.8 last 400 metres.
Some American, who had finished runner up at his previous seven starts, has now earned more than $200,000 in prize money from his four wins and 12 placings.
