Long spell for undefeated freshman

WITH his next major target months away undefeated freshman Mister Rea will be given a long break.

Stretching his perfect record to four by capturing last night’s Bathurst Gold Crown, Mister Rea is expected to spend most of winter in a paddock according to trainer Ray Walker.

Upon his return Mister Rea will be set for the New South Wales Breeders’ Challenge in October and the Vicbred Super Series in December.

“It’s about seven months before the next major comes around for him, so he’ll go for a spell now,” Walker said.

“I’ll get him ready for the Breeders’ Challenge later in the year which means he can have three to four months off.

“He’s also in the Vicbred and this is pretty much the first year the timing of those two races allows you to go in both.

“The break will do him good and hopefully he’ll even mature a little when he comes back.”

Driven by Daryll Perrot, Mister Rea led throughout from the pole to complete a two-and-a-half metre win from Masquerading, with Better Than Lexy 22-and-a-half metres away third.

Rating 1:54.3 over 1730 metres, the son of Pet Rock provided Walker and Perrot with their maiden Group One victory.

“I was pretty confident with him and felt whoever beat him would win,” Walker said. “He’s continued to improve with each run and last night was a pretty good effort.

“My wife Jane and I bred him and I gave a share in him to Greg O’Callaghan who has spent a lot on horses throughout the years without having one as good as him.

“I waited five years to find the right one to give Greg a share in and this bloke is living up to the opinion I had in him early on.”