Bendigo Golden Mile: Tasmanian star Hellova Street carries Victorian flag for first time and doesn’t disappoint

Tasmanian Hellova Street might have a new home these days but that hasn’t curbed his tenacious attitude, which evident again with an all-the-way win in Bendigo’s Golden Mile.

The heavily backed Big Night Out takes out the final race at Bendigo.

Tasmanian warhorse Hellova Street notched his 20th victory with a typical fighting performance but there was a difference to this win as it was the first time he was trained by Patrick Payne.

Scott Brunton, who had trained him from his debut at Devonport in 2013 and for 19 wins and 57 starts for $1,197, 075, decided recently he couldn’t keep travelling him across Bass Strait on the Spirit Of Tasmania because as a nine-year-old it was too tough on him and transferred him to Payne.

Hellova Street employed his usual front running tactics as he defied his rivals attempts to run him down as he added another $90,000 to his stakes earning.

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Hellova Street ($19) defeated Iconoclasm ($11) by one and three quarter lengths with Admiral’s Joker ($6) a length and a quarter away third.

It gave in-form jockey Michael Dee his second win in a row in the Golden Mile as he also won last year on $19 chance Haripour.

Dee was full of praise for Hellova Street saying “he’s very tough and honest”.

“He tries hard and we were able to get a nice lead today. I thought the horse that sat outside me (Iconoclasm) had me on the turn but he kicked into another gear and was too strong,” Dee said.

Dee said Patrick Payne’s instructions were for him to keep rolling along in front on Hellova Street in on a long rein.

Tasmanian old-timer Hellova Street just doesn’t know when to stop as he claims the Bendigo Golden Mile.

“The only horse I was concerned about was the second horse and once I was able to regain the lead from that horse I couldn’t hear anything else coming so I knew I had it in the bag,” Dee said.

Dee made it a winning double with a brilliant ride to win the last race on Big Night Out.

Mornington trainer Matt Laurie targeted the $150,000 Bendigo Guineas (1400m) with Riddle Me That and was pleased he was able to tick it off with a fighting win.

Laurie said Riddle Me That was a smart and tough horse after his narrow victory.

“He has got that galloping style where he really gets his nose out and that was enough to get the job done today,” Laurie said.

Michael Dee returns to scale after his winning ride on Hellova Street.

Laurie said he hadn’t planned beyond winning the Bendigo Guineas with Riddle Me That.

He said Daniel Stackhouse’s ride to win on was a great one as he slotted him into a perfect spot. Stackhouse though said he didn’t think things worked out perfectly in the early stages.

“He relaxed nicely and was able to get balanced and work through his gears. He toughed it out and he keeps improving every time he steps out,” Stackhouse said.

Riddle Me That ($4.20) defeated Score ($11) by a short half head with Zousonic ($31) the same distance away third.

Jockey John Allen rides Swats That to victory in the Bendigo Vobis Gold Rush.

YOUNG FILLY IMPRESSES CORSTENS

Two-year-old filly Swats That lived up to Leon Corstens’ expectations that she had above average ability with an impressive effort to win the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Rush (1000m).

Swats That ($6), who was ridden by John Allen, settled midfield and then sprinted clear of her rivals over the closing stages to win by a length and three quarters over Bella Nipotina ($8) with the same margin away in third placing Masseuse ($7).

Corstens said the daughter of Shamus Award she had won trials but he wasn’t certain what she was going to produce at her debut and he was surprised she settled off the speed.

He said in her two trials she had led so he was pleased that she was able to settle off the speed and then sprint home to win.

“I thought she’d be a bit more on the pace than she was. There were no instructions. He’s (Allen) ridden the filly in two trials, so he knew what to do.”

“Today she was off the pace and worked home well. We’re hoping (she’s got a lot more in her).”

An obvious target for her is $950,000 The Showdown (1200m) at Caulfield on April 18.

Her jockey John Allen said he knew she was a nice filly but it had been hard to get a gauge on how smart she was from the trials as she hadn’t ever been off the bridle.

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Racing at Bendigo was closed to the general public because of the coronavirus.

RACING INDUSTRY ‘HANGING BY A THREAD’

By Glenn McFarlane

Racing has always craved clear air on an exceptionally crowded sporting calendar, but it wasn't supposed to happen this way.

Australian racing — headlined by silent stands at Rosehill and Bendigo and a massive off-track audience desperate for a distraction — remains one of the few sports operating in a world transformed by the coronavirus pandemic.

But, as Bruce McAvaney conceded, the industry hangs by a thread in uncertain times.

“We know we are hanging by a thread, we understand that,” McAvaney told Channel 7.

“It is a unique sport that can probably survive for a long time, as long as we don't have a problem.”

The “problem” would be a positive coronavirus test for one of the limited participants still allowed on tracks — jockeys, trainers, strappers and stable staff.

As a result, racing authorities are doing everything in their powers to limit exposure.

Each race day we get through is considered a blessing for the more than 200,000 people nationwide whose livelihoods depends on the show going on.

The sport dodged a bullet during the week when leading jockey Mark Zahra returned a negative test after being exposure on a flight to Victoria on March 12.

Racing Victoria is working closely with the Government, health authorities, medical experts and stakeholders to navigate this unprecedented challenge.

Lindsay Park's Tom Dabernig on Saturday night praised Racing Victoria's commitment to the health and welfare of the participants and thoroughbreds alike.

Snogging proves too strong in the Bendigo Gold Bracelet.

“Under the circumstances, everyone is working hard to try and make sure for all the participants and public that we can keep the racing going,” Dabernig said.

“The most important thing is the health and safety of the participants and the welfare of the horses.

“In trying times, it is a testament to the racing industry how they have handled it. I cannot praise Racing Victoria enough.”

Chris Waller, whose star mare Verry Elleegant thrust her name into Caulfield and Melbourne Cup calculations with a dominant Tancred Stakes win, said he couldn't fault how the industry had responded,

“We are showing we can put on a responsible show and keep everyone at home interested,” Waller said.

Michael Dee rode a double at Bendigo, scoring back-to-back Golden Mile wins, when Tasmanian Hellova Street scored in the $150,000 race.

TAB BIG BETS

RACE ONE

Punters were reeling in the opener when the heavily tried favourite Grand Promenade ($2.15) could only managed fourth.

The Ala ‘Simmo’ Simpson Tribute (2400m) was dominated by the Maher & Eustace runner from a betting perspective, going around with nearly 75 per cent of the total investment.

Making a sustained run from the back of the field, the fav couldn’t make up the ground on Budd Fox ($4.40-$6.50) which raced much closer to the action.

The Jess Eaton-ridden galloper was the second most popular in terms of money, however, Budd Fox only held a tenth of the support that the favourite did.

BETS: Budd Fox $1000 e/w @ $6/$1.95, $1000 @ $6.50

BETS: Grand Promenade $1000 @ $2.30, $1500 e/w @ $2.20/$1.26, $2000 @ $2.15, $5,000 @ $2.10, $1900 @ $2.10

RACE TWO

In a fairly open betting affair it was Beautiful Flyer that just held on to take out the second event on the card.

Brad Rawiller threw everything at the daughter of Solo Flyer in holding off Arctic Shock ($14) and Midas Prince ($81).

Villa Sarchi, which flew home from near last for fourth, was the big mover on the day. At 9am, he was $11 and bottomed out at $7 before starting an $8 chance.

Write Your Name held the most money and was twice as popular as anything else in the event.

BETS: Turn The Tide $1500 @ $6.50

BETS: Villa Sarchi $1000 @ $8

RACE THREE

Coruscate proved successful in the Underground Cabling System BM84 Handicap (1100m).

Despite tracking wide for a good portion of the race, Coruscate (8-$7.50) got the money for his admirers and was one of the better supported gallopers in the event.

Only Redcore ($9-$7) and Simply Optimistic ($5-$7) held more than the winner.

Grandview Avenue ($9-$7.50) had admirers at each way odds and was one of few firmers in the event.

BETS: Coruscate $1500 e/w @ $7/$2.60

BETS: Simply Optimistic $4000 @ $6.50

BETS: Redcore $1,000 @ $7 MULTIPLE TIMES

BETS: Terbium $1,400 @ $7.50, $1000 @ $7.50

BETS: Grandview Avenue $1450 e/w @ $7.50/$2.60

BETS: Reward With Return $1500 @ $51

RACE FOUR

The well supported debutante Swats That swept to victory over the concluding stages in the Smartline Bendigo Vobis Gold Rush (1000m).

Very solid at the $6.50 for most of the day, Swats That was given a great run by John Allen before issuing a strong challenge down the straight, overhauling Bella Nipotina ($7) late after it was four-wide the trip.

Masseuse ($6.50) was a fair way back in third.

River Night ($5-$4-$4.40) was easily the most popular runner in terms of money held, going around with double the amount compared to the next best supported which was Masseuse.

BETS: Swats That $300 x $1500 e/w @ $6/$2.20

BETS: River Night $1000 @ $4

BETS: Strad $1000 e/w @ $18/$4.40

BETS: Masseuse $1500 @ $6, $1000 @ $6

RACE FIVE

Skiddaw attracted some late interest which proved to be spot on for the running of the URMG Security 3YO Handicap (2200m).

The Danny O’Brien-trained runner was $5.50-$4.60 late, however, just before the jump got back out to $5.

Carrying a number of good investments, jockey Damian Lane was three-wide for a good portion of the trip on the son of Hinchinbrook but still proved too strong at the finish.

Adelaide Ace ($3.10), which led and weakened, went around with more than double the amount of money than the winner, which was second best supported along with Royal Crown ($5).

BETS: Skiddaw $1500 @ $5, $1,000 @ $5 TWICE

BETS: Hey Mighty $1000 @ $10

BETS: Royal Crown $5000 @ $5, $2,000 @ $5, $1000 @ $5 MULTIPLE TIMES

BETS: Adelaide Ace $1000 @ $3.10

BETS: Belix $1,000 e/w @ $13/$3.40

RACE SIX

N/A

Riddle Me That takes out the Bendigo Guineas in a thrilling finish.

RACE SEVEN

Riddle Me That arrived in time to land the prize in the Jayco Bendigo Guineas (1400m).

Going around as one of the more popular runners, with only Spend ($4.80-$4) holding more, Riddle Me That ($5-$4.20) arrived in time thanks to a gem of a ride by Daniel Stackhouse to knock off Score ($11) which kept fighting along the inside after trailing the leader.

Zousonic ($34) added plenty of spice to the exotics just in front of the favourite Spend.

Of the others, Vegas Jewel ($11-$12-$7.50) was a notable firmer throughout the day.

BETS: Riddle Me That $1000 @ $4.20

RACE EIGHT

Hellova Street led throughout at decent odds to take out the Golden Mile (1600m) at Bendigo.

The Patrick Payne-trained runner went $13-$18 on the day and although attracting some interest at the each way odds, was largely ignored in preference for several other horses.

Michael Dee rated the nine-year-old a treat to knock off Iconoclasm ($19-$12) which was tried at a price, with Admirals Joker ($6) winding up in third.

Princess Jenni ($4.20-$4.60) held the most money in front of So Si Bon ($6).

BETS: Admirals Joker $2200 @ $5

BETS: Iconoclasm $2000 @ $12

BETS: Odeon $1000 e/w @ $8/$2.70

BETS: Gold Fields $2000 e/w @ $17/$4.60

BETS: Princess Jenni $2200 @ $4.60, $2000 @ $4.60, $1000 @ $4.60

RACE NINE

It was the short way home for most TAB customers with Big Night Out saluting in the Mitchelton Winery BM90 Handicap (1400m).

Starting the day as a $2.40 favourite, sheer weight of money saw it bottom out at even money before he started $2.15.

The John Sadler runner was nearly four times as popular as anything else including second pick Jumbo Ozaki ($4).

Michael Dee weaved his way through the field to score handsomely in the end over Jumbo Ozaki, which was wide throughout, and Reserve Street ($41).

BETS: Big Night Out $2500 @ $2.15 MULTIPLE TIMES, $2000 @ $2.15 MULTIPLE TIMES, $1000 @ $2.15 MULTIPLE TIMES, $1,500 @ $2 MULTIPLE TIMES, $1000 @ $2