Young apprentice hoop Alex Hearn’s day out in the saddle delivered a deserved riding double at Belmont today and in doing so, ended the winning streak of the Adam Durrant trained Sail Maker.
Going for its fourth win on the trot, Sail Maker ($3.30) had its colours lowered in the Golden River Developments HCP 1600m at the hands of Hearn and the One Cool Cat mare Magna Cat ($3.50). Stalking the multiple winner wherever it went, Hearn pushed his mount past Sail Maker on the turn and sustained a strong run in the straight to salute by a half-length.
Sail Maker, anchored by its 58kg impost, lost no admirers in finishing a game second, while eventual race favourite Responsive ($3.20 fav) failed to live up to its last start 5 ½ length maiden win – finishing a further 2 lengths adrift in third.
Earlier on the card, Hearn partnered the Bob Peters owned Brave Prince ($3.30 fav) in the Carlton United Brewers HCP 1000m – charging the Show A Heart 4yo down the centre of the track to catch early pacemaker Jack’N’Sam ($12.00) in the shadows of the post to claim a half-length victory.
Sail Maker wasn’t the only Adam Durrant trained runner to have its picket fence finalised today – his Oratorio 4yo Ora Dare ($1.50 fav) coming unstuck in the Westspeed Stayers Bonus HCP 2200m going for its fourth victory on end – a neck the mere margin.
Chris Blackwell