Jockey Beau Mertens has followed in his late father Peter’s footsteps in winning the traditional AFL Grand Final Day meeting feature event.
Steering the Chris Waller-trained gelding Born A King to a narrow victory over 2019 WA Derby winner Regal Power in the Listed RM Ansett Classic (2400m) at Mornington, Beau joined the honour roll which includes Peter Mertens’ win on Dame Claire in the 2013 edition.
For the Waller stable, Born A King’s return to the winners’ stall coincides with the team’s move into new surroundings at Macedon, north of Melbourne.
“I was so happy with the run we got with this horse and he switched off quite well,” Mertens said.
“I was unfortunate that horse in front of me (Dick Whittington ) went amiss in front of me and at that stage I lost a vital bit of ground.”
Having started once before over 2400-metres that delivered a second placing at Randwick-Kensington back on January 1, there was still uncertainty as to whether Born A King would stay the distance.
“That was the only thing that we were worried about him,” Mertens added.
“I was worried at that vital stage that he had a bit too much to do but credit to Chris Waller and his team.”
Born A King ($2.70 boombet favourite) won by a short-half-head margin over Regal Power ($5.50) with Rebel Racer ($31) a half-length away in third.
Dick Whittington ($4.40) failed to finish after jockey Jye McNeil retired the seven-year-old from the race at the 700-metre mark.
Stewards reported that the gelding returned to scale lame in the near foreleg and was treated on-course.
