New Zealand owners Linda and Greg Mellsop had the perfect end to a trip to Adelaide when Lost In Bangkok won the Hugall & Hoile Reticulation / Ewen Racing Stables SA BOTRA Four-Year-Old Entires and Geldings Final (2230m) at Globe Derby Park.
“We are harness racing enthusiasts and loved coming to Adelaide for the first time, the win was a bonus,” Linda Mellsop said.
“When he got a run in the final, we said because we didn’t have a lot on, let’s make a flying trip to see him run. It was also great to meet his trainer Les Harding and his family.”
The Mellsops left their home at Pukekohe in South Auckland on Friday morning and flew home on Sunday.
Lost In Bangkok, the $1.70 favourite, came wide midrace for driver Dani Hill to sit parked before drawing clear to win by six metres from Winterfeel ($19.50) with Wheres Jonny ($57.10) two metres away third.
The Mellsops explained they purchased Lost In Bangkok as a yearling but found the handicapping system in New Zealand didn’t really suit him so the decision was made to send the horse to Australia to John and Maree Caldow.
“We actually have most of our horses in Australia because it seems easier to take them through the classes,” Greg Mellsop said.
“The Caldows felt Lost In Bangkok had reached a stage in Victoria where he might be better suited in Adelaide and suggested Les and it has proved the right call.”
Lost In Bangkok made it four wins from as many runs for Harding with the BOTRA final win.
“That was a good win,” Harding said. “He did a tough job and was able to rate 1:57.7.”
Harding said he would continue to try and place the five-year-old to advantage.
