Several months back Taree trainer Melissa Harrison would never have imagined she’d be chasing back-to-back wins with Salsbeel at her home track on Saturday.
Purchased for $1600 at a tried horse sale in Sydney late last year, Harrison was shocked to find the daughter of Secret Savings had a litany of major problems.
“She turned out to be a box walker, weaver and wind sucker. It was a real shock,” Harrison said.
“To put it mildly, she was mental.
“I tried to put her in a yard to settle down, she just dug trenches.
“I put her in my daughter Kyla’s paddock, she dug trenches.
“We just couldn’t calm her down. She was a real pain.”
Frustrated, Harrison eventually boxed Salsbeel with an older mare, Ruby Spy.
“They kicked each other, kicked the box but eventually Salsbeel settled down. It was uncanny,” Harrison said.
“Actually, Salsbeel and Ruby Spy are still boxed together. They’ve grown to like each other.”
From those early days, Salsbeel is finally starting to realise her potential.
The mare lines up on Saturday with Danny Peisley aboard in the NBN Television Class 1 Hcp (1267m).
Last start on her home track, Salsbeel scored an impressive 5-1/4-length win in a 1250m maiden on March 22.
Raced by Harrison’s family and friends including Mark Hubbard and Shane Batman, Salsbeel has progressed admirably under Harrison’s care after being away from the racetrack for 46 weeks before her first start for the stable.
“Initially she had legs everywhere but she’s continued to learn since she’s settled down,” Harrison said.
“Daniel Holton has had a lot to do with her progress. He’s taught her to settle and stretch out at the right time.
“We’ve been patient, it’s taken a while but it’s starting to pay off.”
Harrison has been delighted with Salsbeel’s progress since Taree.
“She’s only lightly framed but clean winded and trained on good,” she said.
“The mare hasn’t missed an oat. I’m very happy with her.”
A wet track won’t hinder the mare’s chances.
“She won on a heavy surface last start and loves wet tracks,” Harrison, who worked with Bede Murray and Gwenda Markwell before moving to Taree a decade back, said.
AAP TURF
