Mornington trainers David and Coral Feek have broken through for their maiden city victory with Belsielle successful at Caulfield.
Victories have come around the provincial areas of Victoria and even extended into the metropolitan area of NSW, but they had been unable to crack it in Melbourne until Saturday.
Under the urgings of Brett Prebble, Belsielle ($12) took out the Michael Fox Handicap (1100m) by a short-neck from Zesty Belle ($7).
The Jamie Kah-ridden $2.80 Neds favourite Sugartown was a further long-head off third.
“That’s our first metro winner in Melbourne,” Coral Feek said.
“We’ve come close in recent weeks, but it’s really good to get that first one.
“We’ve been up to Sydney three times and got the money so that’s been good, but it’s really good to get one in our hometown.”
Feek and her husband have a team of 20 in work and Belsielle was jumping from a maiden win two starts ago at Bairnsdale to claim Saturday’s win.
At her last start, Belsielle finished second at Moe with Feek saying the filly should have won on that occasion.
“Her last 50 metres was incredible,” Feek said.
“So, we thought she’d earned her place to come here.
“It was a step up in grade but she came out of the last race really well and there was no reason not to try.”
Prebble is slowly starting to pick up rides again in the metropolitan area and Saturday’s win was his third on city tracks in the past three meetings.
He was elated to provide the husband-and-wife team their first Melbourne win.
“I’ve had one other ride for them and that horse has come out and won since,” Prebble said.
“David has tried to give me a leg up and it’s nice to get a winner for him.”
Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au