CELLARMAN returned to winning form in the Listed Ladies Day Cup at Hawkesbury on Thursday when again he showed his great determination after some time away from the Winners Circle. It was masterful planning once more by our great trainer Chris Waller and the mile distance suited the 6 year old gelding perfectly. CELLARMAN commenced this preparation on the Gold Coast before returning to Chris’ Rosehill stable. All credit to the team in Queensland for ensuring that the gelding returned to NSW in such great condition.

CELLARMAN began nicely and was able to take up a position mid-field along the rail. The speed was quite strong early and he travelled comfortably. Through the middle stages of the race however the speed slackened and when the field quickened, the gelding was momentarily left a little flat-footed. Jockey Mitchell Bell, who has just very recently returned to race riding following injury, allowed things to unfold and then angled CELLARMAN in between horses in the straight in an endeavour to have him find the line strongly. Fortunately a run opened up for the pair nearing the post and the gelding let down very well over the last 200 metres to win by the narrowest of margins. It was terrific to see CELLARMAN winning at Stakes level again after his long time away from the track over 12 months ago.

The gelding’s narrow victory on Thursday has taken his overall race record to 9 wins including three at Stakes level, with prize money earnings close to $570,000. A wonderful result for a $90,000 yearling purchase from the 2015 Inglis Premier yearling sale.

Congratulations to the winning CELLARMAN owners Mervyn Wood, Margaret Wood, Titan (Manager: Kathryn Wood), Michelle Jenkins, Ray Aurisch, Ian Dix, Regina Crane, Beverley Murray, Darren Baxter, David McLeish, Wendy Smith, Jonathan Smith, Jacqueline Coulter.