Racing: Group one win magical

The unsung hero behind the stunning victory of Badlands Bute at Alexandra Park on Friday night was not a trainer or driver.

Badlands Bute burst from a midfield sit with 400 metres remaining and outsprinted Advance Attack and Revagain to win the $125,000 Great Northern Derby.

Winning trainers Robert C Mitchell and Ray Green were quick to pass all the credit for the victory onto veterinarian Catherine Pemberton.

It was the expertise of Pemberton that nursed this stunning colt back into winning form.

The 42-1 shot was driven to perfection by Tony Herlihy as this combination did not cover any extra ground despite traffic problems with 800 metres to go when a number of rivals improved forward around the field.

Herlihy was able to work Badlands Bute outwards and onto the back of Tribute with 400 metres remaining before unleashing a blistering sprint to gun down his more highly ranked age group rivals.

Mitchell was humble in victory but was not going to let the occasion go without celebrating.

"I'll be at the stables at 6 am on Saturday because regardless of the results of a race meeting life goes on and Ray [Green, co-trainer] and I have a 22-strong team of horses in training," said Mitchell.

"A of lot people wrote Badlands Bute off heading into the Derby but they didn't realise the problems we've had this season with the horse.

"He's had three separate injury problems this season - a touch of colic, upset stomach and teeth problems - but the expertise of veterinarian Catherine Pemberton got him back to peak form.

"Last season as a two-year-old he was beaten a nose by Marika in the Juvenile Championship here at Alexandra Park.

"He's strengthened up a lot this season and he was training superbly heading into this race.

"Watching the replay it was a staggering effort to come from well off the pace with 400 metres remaining to defeat such a quality field."

Badlands Bute is raced by Lincoln Farms Ltd, the powerful racing ownership interests of John and Lynn Street and Graeme and Erin Blackburn.

This was the first Group One win for Lincoln Farms and also the first for the training partnership of Mitchell and Green.

"It's a massive boost for John and Lynn [Street] and Graeme and Erin [Blackburn] because they are big players and supporters of the racing industry.

"They spend between $300,000 to $500,000 a year purchasing yearlings at the sales and they also sponsor feature events through their Pak N Save super market chain.

"It's a great way for Ray [Green] and myself to repay the owners of Badlands Bute for their faith in us," said Mitchell.

"They left the horse with us to train this season despite all the injury problems we had and it's just magical to get this Group One win."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY