PLEADEEL’s first metropolitan start was a winning one as she powered home to break her maiden at Doomben.  

The mare had been building towards her first win with some improving performances, and she deservedly broke through at start six in the Maiden Plate.  

With in-form jockey Micheal Hellyer, who had guided her to third at the Sunshine Coast on New Year’s Eve, back in the saddle, the pair settled comfortably in midfield in the early stages of the 2040m contest. 

As the pace began to increase, the pair started picking off their rivals and when they hit the front 200m from home, PLEADEEL showed great strength to score by a length and collect a cheque for $22,000. 

“I thought they’d go a lot quicker, it was a fairly moderately run race so it turned into a bit of a sit and sprint, but gee she was tough,” said Hellyer. 

“She got bumped around a bit in the straight but it didn’t knock her off her stride. If you go back to her first start, she let down nicely when she got to the outside so we always thought that if she got out to this sort of trip, she’d go well. 

“She was ripe for this race, she’s got a good dash so if she can save up that finish for these 2000-metre races, I’m sure she’ll be winning again.”

The victory also extended our recent record to two wins and two minor placings from our last seven starters. 

Many congratulations to PLEADEEL's owners: Mr T Chudziak, Mr A R Thompson, Mr D P Hansen, Mr T A J de Carteret, Saniuqa 7 Racing, Mr B M Drinkwater, Mr S R Imlach, Mr A S Morrison, Mrs L G Morrison, DNT, 4Kings Racing and Mr S J McMahon.