Evergreen Tasmanian galloper Hellova Street has led throughout to claim the Golden Mile at Bendigo.
Saturday’s win in the Listed 1600m race was his 21st career win from 58 starts and his 11th at stakes level.
Taken to the front by jockey Michael Dee, Hellova Street ($19) defied the opposition to win by 1-3/4 lengths from Iconoclasm ($11) with Admiral’s Joker ($6) 1-1/4 lengths away third.
Hellova Street had been prepared by Scott Brunton in Tasmania throughout his career before being left with the Victorian stable of Patrick Payne following his last-start third to Guizot in the Anniversary Vase at Caulfield on March 14.
Saturday’s win aboard Hellova Street provided Dee with successive Golden Mile after guiding Haripour to victory for Chris Waller last year.
Dee was impressed with Hellova Street and his fighting qualities after thinking Iconoclasm had him beaten soon after turning for home.
“He’s very tough, he’s honest, he tries hard and we were able to get a nice lead today,” Dee said.
“But gee I thought the horse that sat outside me had me on the turn, but then my bloke kicked into another gear and was too strong.
“Speaking to Patrick Payne before the races today he said just have him happy and I thought I was rolling along comfortably on a long rein, and then we were able to build momentum on that.
“So it wasn’t a sit and sprint and I think he enjoyed it.”
Dee complete a race-to-race double when $2.20 favourite Big Night Out won the Mitchelton Winery Handicap.
Trainer John Sadler said Big Night Out would now head to the Group Three Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on April 11.
“I know it was a benchmark 90 (today) but we’ve always thought he had Group ability,” Sadler said.
“Not a lot of horses can do what he did today, go between them and show that turn of foot.
“When he did get to the front, straightaway he pricked his ears and he just idled to the line.
“It was a pretty exciting win, I thought.”
