32-month winning drought broken

PATIENCE - and a side serve of frustration - were the key to Lunchwitharthur's success at Tabcorp Park Melton last night.

Scoring first-up for veteran horseman Robbie O'Connell, Lunchwitharthur has been a "more than a handful" since arriving at the stable.

"He's very strong headed," O'Connell said. "He can be a bit of a mad bugger, so it has taken a lot of time to work on him to get this win.

"I've had him for five months and it's all been about getting his head right.

"His fast work days have even included taking him to Melton and putting him in the stalls outside to get him familiar with the surroundings and having him get used to the whole ordeal as best as possible.

"To have him come out and win like he did first-up is very satisfying."

Driven by top reinsman Zac Phillips, Lunchwitharthur scored by two-and-a-half metres from Jazspur, with Aldebaran Dino a head away third.

Rating 1:58.8 over 2240 metres, the trotter broke a 32-month drought from the winners' circle.

"As he showed, he has got some good speed," O'Connell said. "If I can keep him mind right he will win a few more.

"He's owned by Georgina Coram, who I've known since the Showgrounds days, so to get him back with a win for her is terrific."