‘Best filly’ ticks box for Hayes
Melnrowley’s gait told trainer she was a cut above
CRAIG HAYES has bred his fair share of talented pacers but the latest addition to his team in two-year-old filly Melnrowley could end up being the best.
Melnrowley (Heston Blue Chip-Tania Marie) delivered a career-best effort to take out the fillies’ division of the 2YO S weeps takes (1609m) at Elwick on Sunday night at what was only her fourth start.
She debuted with a win in the $12,000 Belmont in Devonport before finishing a luckless fifth in the Blue Bonnet and she went into Sunday’s Sweepstakes final on the back of an impressive win in the Sweepstakes Prelude.
It was Hayes’s first success in a Sweepstakes series final and he was thrilled with the outcome.
“This is the best filly I’ve had and to win a Sweepstakes final ticks a big box for me,” Hayessaid.
“She had to do a lot of work early, but she still found plenty at the finish and I was so proud of her.”
Hayes was conscious of the filly’s ability early in her career.
“Pretty much from day one I thought she might be very good because she was such a good-gaited filly and very strong, and it washer strength and stamina that shone through on Sunday night .”
The filly’s dam, Tania Marie, was retired to stud by Hayes at the end of her threeyear-old season but she won twice as a two-year-old and seven times at three, to retire with nine wins and three minor placings from 16 starts.
“Melnrowley’s dam was very good and my decision to retire her to stud so early is proving to be a very good move.”
Gareth Rattray has partnered the filly in all four of her starts and he told Hayes after the first win in the Belmont that she could be special. Melnrowley also equalled the 2YO fillies’ track record of 1m 58.4s, set by Karalta Moon dance in 2018.
Hayes said Melnrowley would progress to the Evicus Stakess eries.
Trainer-driver Paul “Smiley” Hill added another talented two-year-old to his list of Sweepstakes winners on Sunday.
Rock n over time delivered a brilliant effort to take out the colts and geldings division of the Sweepstakes over 1609 m, with the gelded son of Rock n Roll Heaven coming from last a lap out.