Written By Trent Masenhelder (Racing.com)
It might have been a tough year on the football field for Essendon stars Zach Merrett and Sam Durham, but the future is incredibly bright for the three-year-old filly they part-own, Over The Bridge.
The Ciaron Maher-trained daughter of Toronado was thrown in the deep end on at Caulfield Sunday, lining up in the Group 3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) at her second start. Over The Bridge created was sent off favourite, following an impressive maiden win at Bendigo earlier in the month.
In the hands of Mark Zahra, Over The Bridge raced three-wide on the speed and was tough to the line. After it appeared I Am Aria had her measure, the favourite responded and got the better of the Mark Walker-trained filly to hand Maher his third winner of the day.
“Sam and I were talking about it; we played in some big games, like Anzac Day, in front of 100,000 fans. That put some butterflies in the tummy, we were pretty nervous before the race. To get the win was very good,” Merrett said.
“We’ve been in some horses, but none as fast as this one.
“It was nice to see her down the straight hit the front; Sam was carrying on.
“It’s been a really, really fun day.”
Over The Bridge races in the colours of Unbridled Racing – a new player in the Australian racing landscape that is designed to make the sport more accessible. The brainchild of Ciaron Maher Racing CEO Sam Cavanough and Adam Holland, Unbridled Racing offers micro shares in Maher-trained horses through a simple, one-off payment.
“It’s fantastic. One, to get a win for the boys and two, for Unbridled. Adam and the whole team have put a lot of effort into getting the business off the ground. To have a horse like this, she’s put the writing on the wall but that was pretty good today,” Maher said.
“To win a race like that second-up and I knew she was a bit raw. As Zach (Merrett) said, I put the cold water on Monday. I thought she was way unders what she should be, but the market had it right and her future is very bright. She’s got it all ahead of her.”
Maher said he is unsure of where Over The Bridge goes next.
