Bridesmaid finally became the bride

AFTER playing the bridesmaid in recent weeks Egodan finally became the bride last night.

Racing in strong form, the son of Sportswriter had finished second behind Bernie Winkle during his previous three starts leading into the Mildura meeting.

A revelation since being transferred to trainer Geoff Lucas, Bernie Winkle won 10 consecutive races in a remarkable winning streak which has now come to an end.

“I feel like a bit of a party pooper ending the winning streak, but at the same time I’m rapt with the win,” trainer Lachlan Prothero said.

“We’ve been finding Bernie too good, but I didn’t think there was much between them and it was only a matter of time before we got one over on him.

“That was my first win in a race which carries metropolitan stakes so I am thrilled.”

Driven by Dwayne Locke, Egodan was settled towards the tail of the field from his second row draw as Ozzie Battler set the pace.

Gaining a three-wide trail at the bell, the gelding grabbed the lead in the last stride to score by a short half-head from Bernie Winkle.

Caulonia Terror was four-and-a-half metres away third.

A well-travelled pacer, which is with his eighth trainer, Egodan rated 1:59.2 over 1790 metres to take his record to 29 wins and 30 placings from 117 starts for earnings of $333,741.

“Getting the trail on Bernie and having the easier trip this time around made all the difference,” Prothero said.

“Like I said, I don’t think there is much between them and the better run has been the result.

“I can’t thank Danny (Zavitsanos, part-owner) enough for sending him to me as Danny has been a terrific supporter for me.”