Belichick scores touchdown at Pakenham
Jockey Damien Oliver followed the game plan perfectly which allowed Belichick to score his first touchdown at Pakenham on Thursday.
The three-year-old gelding's namesake, New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick, would have been proud at the planning that went into his first victory at start eight.
"He has had a habit of missing the start in his races, so I asked Damien to ensure he stepped from the gate and if he could give him cover I was confident he would be strong late," trainer Danny O'Brien said, of the horse that had finished second three times and in the placings four times in his first seven starts.
"Although he wasn't great away today it was better than what he had been doing, and when Damien got him into the clear at the top of the straight he chased hard and put the race away nicely."
Oliver said the son of Star Witness had more wins in store after his dominant performance in the 1400m maiden event.
"He can be a quirky horse and he has been a slow learner, but I really like the feel he gave me today as he let very strongly. I think riding him with cover really helped him," Oliver said.
Pic by Racing Photos
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