Straight-Track Specialist Bristol Hercules Delivers Again

Bristol Hercules was purposefully entered over the same course and distance of his win on 21 May – and gamely won again over the straight 1400m at the Vaal on Thursday. 

Callan Murray rode a strong finish on Bristol Hercules against his brother-in-law, Keegan De Melo, a tenacious challenger aboard Wayne, and they got up to win, right on the line.

Callan’s ride carried extra merit as he had to bring his mount gradually across from an inside draw, which is not as favourable as the outside on most days of the week. While not as high-profile as the riveting finish between Trawlerman and Scandinavia at Royal Ascot and not as protracted either, this duel was pulsating enough to get hearts beating on a mid-winter’s afternoon at the country track.

“I felt like we got there, and Keegan’s language confirmed that we did,” joked Callan. "Bristol Hercules dug down deep. He loves the straight track, because he is not dictated to and can flow into the race.”

Mat said: “Bristol Hercules has come into himself now. We gave him time off and his little niggles, aches and pains went away. I looked for another 1400m race up the straight and waited patiently for this one. I’ll be opening the programme again to look for another one!”

Bristol Hercules runs for the hottest owners in town – Jayson and Preshalin Murugasa. He is a Boland Stud-bred by Lancaster Bomber.