The Kiwi-bred horse who shares his name with a famous mare returned to the winners’ list, gifting a first metropolitan Melbourne win to his young New Zealand driver.
Fergus Schumacher piloted Lets Elope to victory in the Tabcorp Park Melton Cup’s first heat last Saturday, the 21-year-old’s first Victorian metro win.
“It was very pleasing. It is always hard to get your first win in the city and it was a big thrill for everyone,” Schumacher said.
It come only three months after he joined trainer Brent Lilley’s Bolinda stable in search of greater driving experience.
“There are just more opportunities, with more racing than in New Zealand. We would only race twice a week, but here they are racing every day,” Schumacher said.
He had previously driven for Cambridge trainer Mike Berger and Lilley, a fellow former Kiwi, was only too happy to reward the junior driver’s endeavour.
“He was keen to come over and have a go over here,” Lilley said. “He knew we had room for another worker and so rung up.”
And with that a new Victorian trots career bloomed.
“I thought I would come over and work for Brent and if he put me on the odd one that would be great.”
Schumacher has since tallied 18 starts as a Victorian driver for three wins, including victory last Saturday in his 11th attempt at Tabcorp Park Melton.
Lets Elope had previously been driven by Josh Duggan, but Schumacher’s concession claims enabled entry into the M1-M2 cup.
Lilley said the win was just reward for the seven-year-old by Real Desire out of Alta Vista, whose last win was the Ubet Tasmania Cup in December, some 17 starts prior.
“He has been running really good without much luck,” Lilley said. “He made up ground on Major Secret (in the Italian Cup) and the week before his win he had a really good run but was just held up.”
Drawn barrier seven in the Tabcorp Park Melton Cup heat, Lets Elope shot out of the gate to find the front and then was happy to take leader Beach Shack’s back until the sprint lane opened.
“There wasn’t too much gate speed inside. When you are drawn out there it is a little harder, but he was dropping back in grade and had the speed to get across,” Schumacher said.
“Then when I got cover he rested beautifully. He was really travelling at 400 and I thought the passing lane couldn’t come quick enough and when it did he opened up very well.”
A 3.2m win in a 1:57.7 mile rate also booked Lets Elope a place in tonight’s Hygain Tabcorp Park Melton Cup final.
Lilley said his winning ways could continue in the Group 3 that carries $30,575 in stakes. Lets Elope has drawn nine, on the back of Phil Monty, and Lilley expected he should get a good lead into the race.
“It is a pretty good draw,” he said. “(Fergus) can follow a good horse and settle him two or three back on the outside. He’s a really good chance.”
“It is very exciting,” Schumacher said. “A $30,000 race and he is right around the mark and is going to be hard to beat. I hope I can follow Phil Monty through and see where he ends up. Hopefully he gets a bit of cover and should be thereabouts.”
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