A victory four decades in the making

IT’S taken nearly four decades, but Wayne Dimech has won a Group race!

Achieving the feat as breeder, owner and trainer, Dimech’s magic moment came courtesy of Merrywood Lynn at Club Menangle tonight.

Driven by Joshua Gallagher, Merrywood Lynn captured a New South Wales Breeders’ Challenge True Blue feature.

“It took me a long time to get a Group win, but I’ve got one now,” Dimech said. “I’ve been in the game for about 40 years and hopefully I don’t have to wait that long for another.

“We dream of winning races like this and it’s a great feeling.

“It’s also Josh’s first Group race, so it’s pretty special all round.”

Showing her customary gate speed, Merrywood Lynn had no trouble leading from barrier two as the field travelled in ‘Indian file.’

Striding clear of the pack along the home straight, the daughter of Shoobees Place sprinted to a 10-and-a-half metre win from One Reason, with Our Bella Lucia five-and-a-half metres away third.

Covering the mile in 1:55.3, the two-year-old stretched her record to three wins and five seconds from 15 starts.

“She’s a nice filly and I gave her a big chance, but that made it all the more stressful going into the race,” Dimech said.

“I’ve been nervous all week as it’s rained I was worried she’d get a cold or something.”

To be sent for a long spell, Merrywood Lynn will be aimed high next season as Dimech sets his sights on the New South Wales Oaks.

“She will go out for a good break now and I will bring her back in the New Year,” Dimech said.

“Hopefully she head to the Oaks…we can always dream!”