Maiden broken after four years!

PERSISTENCY and a “damn perfect drive” set the scene for a drought-breaking victory in Echuca on Tuesday night.

Just shy of four years after his debut – at 53 starts later – Beryls Boots broke his maiden for trainer David Sweatman.

In doing so, Beryls Boots also provided Sweatman with his win since emerging triumphant with Beryls Grin in Cobram on November 6, 2023.

“It was great to finally get a win with him,” Sweatman said. “When you’re only working a couple of horses for yourself you give them plenty of chances and he’s certainly had his.

“He has no speed or brilliance, but a bit of stamina and we put that to use this time.

“He is very one paced, and when they slow in that middle section before a quick third quarter, he can’t match it, which is why he can be seen coming home well in the last quarter, but not able to get there in time.

“I spoke to James (Herbertson, driver) about how I thought he could be driven this time and James did exactly what I said and we got the win.”

Sent forward from barrier five, Beryls Boots was settled outside Alto Coraggio, which led from gate three.

Forging his way to the front along the home straight, the son of Restrepo scored by a metre-and-a-half front from the pacemaker, with Major Friend two metres away third.

“I had been happy with the way he was going, but after 54 starts how can you be confident,” Sweatman said. “I felt his best chance was to control the tempo.

“I still felt he’d struggle to win, but felt he could run third, so to win is a pleasing surprise.”