Gilt Bromac careers away from her rivals to win The VSB&SA Jane Ellen
It didn’t carry Group 1 status or an extraordinary purse, but Saturday night’s The VSB&SA Jane Ellen at Moonee Valley was one of the strongest mares’ races of the season.
Ladyship Mile winner Deanna Troy, the stunningly in-form Pacific Charm, class act Broadway Play, excitement machine Jazzam and Sophie Pass, a feature-race winner at her past two starts, were among those assembled for the $20,000 event.
It’s therefore easy to see why Great Western trainer-driver Grant Campbell was thrilled to see ultra-consistent four-year-old Gilt Bromac break through for a career-best win.
The daughter of Courage Under Fire had been competitive against the big guns in recent months, having missed a place just twice in her past 10 starts, but hadn’t been able to crack it for a feature win.
“We’ve been around in races for more money of late, but that was probably the strongest race we’ve been in,” Campbell said. “I suppose there were a couple (of big names) missing, but most of the good ones were there.
“I always thought she was good enough to win one against them, but she just needs luck and she got it last night.”
A dream ride on the back of luckless Pacific Charm propelled Gilt Bromac to Jane Ellen victory.
Lisa Miles’s star was stuck three-wide the trip after being posted when Deanna Troy went roughly for several strides going out of the straight the first time and Campbell hitched a ride on her back from the 1200m.
After a 60.5-second first half of the last mile, leader Very Chic covered the third split in 29.6secs after which Campbell pulled the $18 chance four-wide to commence her run.
She quickly rounded up her rivals, assuming the lead soon after straightening before pulling away for a five-metre win over Christians Daughter ($35) and Broadway Play ($13), who both finished hard from the rear.
Gilt Bromac is now likely to have a couple of weeks off before being set for next month’s Australasian Breeders Crown four-year-old series at Tabcorp Park.
