Bred to get over distances greater than what he was debuting over at Caulfield Heath, Melek has made an impressive start to his racing career.
The Ciaron Maher-prepared four-year-old took out the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1600m) on Wednesday at his first outing.
Well-supported late in betting and under the guidance of Craig Williams, Melek ($4.20) ran down the $2.40 favourite Wolfoffitzroystreet to score by a length with Icaro ($5.50) a further 1-¾ lengths away third.
Melek is by St Jean, sire of Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours out of the Pure Theatre mare Regina Coeli, a dual winner of Australia’s longest race, the Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m) at Warrnambool.
Regina Coeli did however register two wins on the flat over 1600m before making the switch to racing over jumps.
Unfortunately, St Jean died following a paddock accident shortly after Half Yours won the Melbourne Cup.
Melek is raced by Maher in partnership with Halo Racing which includes Janice McKenna who owned Half Yours before his sale last year.
Leigh Allen, representing the Maher stable, said the gelding may have a bright future ahead after registering a win on debut.
“Janice is in the horse along with Ciaron who has a fair chunk in the horse and well done to the team at Ballarat who have done all the work with the horse,” Allen said.
“He’s four now, but what I can see of that win, he’s got a bright future.”
Williams said Melek had been well-prepared for his debut outing, although the gelding gave the leading rider a few awkward moments when he first climbed aboard.
“He was a bit startled and wanted to run away with me, which was a bit awkward,” Williams said.
“But then he fell into the model of stepping slow, and relaxing.
“I thought at the 500 (metres) when he started to reel in the favourite, he had that nice momentum, which was good, but then he got on the wrong leg turning, which is not unusual in their first start, and on this track, but then he kept lengthening and he was able to reel them in.
“It was a good win in the end.”