Every race win is treasured but there is no doubt that winning a race on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington is special.
BEL AIR lined up in the last, the Channel 9 Plate over 1400m. The race was a BM90 with plenty of depth. Smartly away from Barrier 5 jockey Ben Melham was positive and sat outside the leader and favourite RHEINBERG.
Traveling smoothly BEL AIR rounded the turn without any pressure and while Ben was surprised that RHEINBERG didn't take him further into the race BEL AIR was left alone in front 400m from home. Allowing the chasing pack to join in BEL AIR was asked for his effort before the 250m mark and galloped strongly to the line defying the chasers.
It got tight in the final 30m but he was able to hold off IS IT ME and WARNIE to claim the win in a smart 1:22.53. The drama was not over though with Ethan Brown on WARNIE unsuccessfully firing in a protest for interference in the closing stages.
BEL AIR's win took his record to an impressive 5 wins and 9 placings and career earnings of over $600,000.
WATCH THE REPLAY BELOW
Comments