Baseman salutes with owners in fun spirit

IF the Melbourne Cup is the race that stops the nation, then the Toddy & Kingy Time-honoured Maiden Plate is the race that stops a horse’s career.

Yesterday’s unlucky winner of the race sponsored by local identity Tom King and mate Todd Nicolich was the Robert Smerdon-trained Baseman.

Viking Good Thing, Garrett County, Spirit Or Lager and Koh Chang are previous winners of the perpetual shield.

Just Spirit Or Lager has gone on to forge a career, saluting in six races. Garrett County is the only other multiple winner.

But that won’t stop Baseman’s connections celebrating all the way to Kyabram.

“It’s a real thrill. The aim of this is to have fun,” part-owner Patty Meehan said.

“Today has been something special for us, for my wife and I. It’s really good fun.

“We have got a group of owners from Kyabram that are in the book and we all just knock around together.”

Sent out a raging hot favourite, Baseman was ridden superbly by Noel Callow, who managed to sit three wide with cover for most of the race.

Baseman let down nicely in the straight and easily gained a winning margin.

The David Hayes-trained Kharir finished off nicely for second, while locally trained Spurt flew home for fourth after missing the start by five lengths.

“I was able to slide forward and get three deep with cover and we just had the perfect run,” Callow said.