Yarra Valley is a favourite destination for many, especially at this time of year, with its large array of food, wine, gin, chocolate and more, but it’s fast becoming a favourite of Heavenly Bridges too after another dominant victory today in the Bet365 Racing Refunds BM58 Handicap.
It was back-to-back wins for the five-year-old mare after her victory a fortnight ago at the same track, with jockey Emily Brown and her three kilogram claim doing the job with a perfectly executed ride from the apprentice.
“She was really good today,” said Brown.
“She jumped really fast and ended up in the front and we went to the rail early, but a couple sped around us and she was comfortable settling behind them, which I think really helped her in the end.
“They went nice and hard in front and we just sat off them and on the turn she just picked up again and kept on coming and while she laid in a bit in the straight, she was good enough in the end,” said Brown.
Trainer Henry Dwyer, currently up at Magic Millions searching for the next HDR star, enjoyed the watch from the TAB Bar outside the sales ring.
“That’s good for her putting two wins together, when she is racing well she is always a very consistent mare,” said Henry.
“The pleasing aspect about today was how she settled in the run, relaxed throughout and peeled off their heels to then finish the race off.
“She probably could have won in easier fashion if she hadn’t laid in and Emily didn’t have to stop riding to correct her, but all’s well that ends well,” said Henry.
If she pulls up well from the run, Heavenly Bridges might end up running under lights at The Valley next Friday night. Let’s hope for her connections her love of the ‘Valley’ transfers to the city equivalent.