Widden Stud’s Dirty Work can throw a good looking horse and there aren’t many better looking that talented three year-old gelding Melanite.
Ethan Brown left a lasting first impression on John Thompson when he partnered Melanite to a comprehensive win in the $250,000 Magic Millions Maiden Plate (1100m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
And it was a ride worthy of praise, with Brown navigating a path to victory aboard the lightly-raced gelding from barrier nine.
Melanite exploded away form his rivals at the top of the straight and, with the race won, he was given an easy time of it in the final 100m to win by three-quarters-of-a-length over $51 bolter Splash Of Steel.
Melanite was first up from a spell having last run when fifth in a very strong maiden at Randwick won by subsequent stakes-winner Grand Prairie with Ninja, who runs as favourite in the MM 3YO Guineas in third place.
Thompson said the horse has always shown ability in trackwork and trials but just needed some luck on raceday.
“11 of out 10 for the ride, he’s a superstar,” Thompson said.
“I met him today, I’d never met him before and he didn’t know anything about this horse so he took everything in that I said and went to put it into place.
“He was traveling a long way from home, he was confident around the corner and the others were off the bridle while he was still traveling and he gave a good kick.
“He’s a nice horse, he’s always shown that sort of ability but he’s just been a bit unlucky in some of his races.
“There are some great owners in the horse, they are great supporters of the stable and I’m very happy to get a win for them.”
Thompson combined with Boomer Bloodstock to buy Melanite for $140,000 out of the Fernrigg Farm draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Melanite is the fourth winner from five foals to race from Caesarissa, a winning Holy Roman Emperor (IRE)mare from the family of Group I winning sires Russian Revolution and Home Affairs.
Brown praised Thompson’s training effort to prepare the gelding for a first-up win in the lucrative maiden.
“It’s the first time I’ve met John and I’m very thankful to him and his ownership group for the ride,” Brown said.
“I found John a very quiet bloke and he left it up to me.
“He was confident he had the horse prepared in the right order.
“He’s a very nice horse going forward.”
