Trainers break 25 years worth of dry spells!
A DROUGHT-BREAKING victory early on the card appeared to have a flow-on effect in Melton last night.
Three trainers registered their first successes in "a long time", with the trio having a combined winless period of 25 years!
Bruce Donaldson opened the floodgate when Zu Hoffen captured the Vale Greg Norman Pace.
A six-year-old, Zu Hoffen had only been foaled a couple of months before Donaldson's previous triumph in January 2020 with Searover, which scored at the massive odds of $112.50.
That win also ended a six-year drought, although Donaldson did spend the bulk of that time away from training.
"I was in tears after he won," Donaldson said. "The feeling when he went over the line was very overwhelming.
"A lot of 'TLC' has gone into him and it is terrific to see him finally get that win.
"On the way he has gone in his last few starts, particularly that win, I reckon he can win again.
"I've got a lot of people to thank, a lot, so I won't single any out, but they know who they are and I can't thank them enough."
Donaldson did note one change in the gelding's daily routine as a boost in recent weeks - Carbine Chemicals Muslamax.
"It had been over two years since he won, and a lot of 'goose eggs' in his form, but he is in a good zone at the moment," Donaldson said. "One thing I was told was to get him on Muslamax, which I did and now I'm a fan of the product."
Less than an hour later Brendan Said completed a perfect training comeback thanks to American Michi.
Making his debut, the four-year-old rated 2:00.6 over 2240 metres as Like A Gazelle and Illuminate Me filled the placings.
Part-owned by Said, American Michi's win was the veteran horseman's first since Dainty Cloud in July 2014.
Said stepped away from training in 2016, with American Michi his first starter upon his return to the ranks.
Local horseman Peter Sant then ended his seven-year itch via Woodlea Diego, which beat Yankee Gambler and Livermere in 1:57.3 over 1720 metres.
Sant's previous victory was with the Brad Chisholm-driven Ciskei in Ballarat on February 19, 2019.
Although he has trained continuously between wins, Sant has had limited starters during the interim.
"It took me a while but we got there," Sant said. "His last few runs have been improvements, so I was expecting a good run from him, especially from the draw.
"He's a handy horse which gives me something to do to pass my time... get me out of the house.
"I think he can win again before too long."
