Supporters of the favourite Bel Air were on the edge of their seats for the entire 1400m of the $175,000 VOBIS Gold Bullion at Pakenham on Friday night.
After a slow start, things were getting desperate for Damian Lane on the son of Written Tycoon in the home straight.
Locked away on the fence, Lane desperately searched for clear air. He was shut out when going for a rails run before a hip and shoulder forced a run in time to snatch victory from the Hellbent gelding Deekay by a half-length with another son of Written Tycoon Writey O'pal, back in third.
Never further back than fourth in his last six starts, the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained 4-year-old advances his record to four wins, seven seconds and two thirds from 18 starts with earnings of $507,750.
“He’s a horse that has a think about it, so being held up probably helped him,” stable representative Brad Taylor said.
“We pencilled this race in after his third at Flemington twelve days ago. VOBIS is a great scheme and these races are very rewarding for the owners.
“There is a mile race for him on VOBIS raceday.
“We have played with his gear a lot. He had no blinkers tonight, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see blinkers on again next start. He is a horse with a lot of talent and thanks to his patient owners.”
A $320,000 buy for International Thoroughbred Solutions from the Woodside Park Stud draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Bel Air is a brother to stakes-placed Broadcaster and half to the talented Titans (Exceed And Excel), out of the winning Bel Esprit mare Bel Selene, a half-sister to the outstanding 5-time Group 1 winner Mummify (Jeune).
Bel Selene foaled a Stay Inside colt last spring and was covered by Russian Revolution.
