3 minute read
An appreciation of wet ground has led to Cyclone Sally scoring at The Valley.
The all-the-way victory of Cyclone Sally at Moonee Valley has helped erase some painful memories for trainer Mick Bell at the corresponding meeting two years ago.
Heavy rain during the meeting in 2020 eventually saw the Carlyon Stakes meeting called-off after five races with Bell having the hot favourite Jungle Edge engaged in the 1000m sprint.
Jungle Edge was a superior wet-track sprinter that had won the Group 3 Monash Stakes at Caulfield the previous month.
"Two years ago today, it was a nightmare," Bell said.
"He only had to walk out there that day, but they called them off. It was so disappointing."
While Jungle Edge missed out on starting two years ago, Cyclone Sally was never challenged in taking out the James Reid Handicap (1500m).
Taken to the front by Craig Newitt, Cyclone Sally raced to a 1-¼ length win from Lackeen with Proconsent the same margin off third.
"She's a wonderful mare. She just happens to click with what I do," Bell said.
"She was in a race, more in her class, at Sale tomorrow (Sunday), but I decided to come here.
"I thought some of the better performed horses might have been giving up an edge in fitness to her in the wet and I thought they might have trouble catching her.
"I got it right for once."
Bell said he would keep a watch on the weather and has not ruled out a return to Sydney with the mare if the right conditions prevail.
Cyclone Sally raced in Sydney in July, finishing fifth at Randwick.
"I think to tackle the better class she needs these conditions, and in these conditions, she is a good mare," Bell said.
"Once the tracks dry out, they sit on her hammer, but when the tracks are wet, their wheels are spinning."
Cyclone Sally just kept on kicking
— 7HorseRacing (@7horseracing) August 20, 2022
A great result for trainer Mick Bell and his team. pic.twitter.com/E4GmFrx6el
