Aptly named Band Of Brothers lands the Useless Stakes

Coach Mathew Ellerton needed to be persuaded to remain at dwelling to look at Band Of Brothers land a Stakes race victory at Caulfield.

Ellerton solely lately returned dwelling from rehabilitation after struggling a stroke in Bali whereas on vacation in June and watched Band Of Brothers land the Group 3 Useless Stakes (1100m) on Saturday from the consolation of dwelling.

Ridden by Damian Lane, Band Of Brothers ($5) scored a half-length win from Let’sfacethemusic ($4.40) with the $3.30 betting app favorite Surprise Boy a short-half-head away third.

Ellerton’s spouse Leah mentioned her husband had requested what he must be carrying to look at Band Of Brothers race at Caulfield.

“He’s at dwelling. He’s out of rehab and he’s getting motion in his left arm,” Ellerton mentioned.

“However he’s acquired to take it gradual. It’s solely been every week, however being in your house setting, it’s a assist.

“He’s been to the stables as soon as and he wished to come back right here as we speak, nevertheless it’s an excessive amount of.

“His mind must heal, and the docs don’t need him to hamper that.”

Ellerton mentioned her husband was instrumental in calling for a set of blinkers on Band Of Brothers after watching the gelding in his final begin inserting at Caulfield.

Lane mentioned he acquired somewhat extra satisfaction in successful aboard Band Of Brothers having been related to the Ellerton steady from when he first moved from Perth as an apprentice.

“It’s a little bit extra rewarding once you trip one for this steady and one you trip a good bit for,” Lane mentioned.

“The blinkers switched him on a bit. He was very hesitant to guide up final time and felt like he was going to tug as much as a trot within the dwelling straight.

“He had his ears pricked and was wanting all over the place and I assumed the blinkers would deliver him on that little bit.

“He regarded nice within the race parade and that’s a credit score to everybody again on the steady.”

Lane did a good quantity of the early training work on Band Of Brothers and was aboard the gelding when he broke his maiden standing at Bendigo final month.

However he couldn’t envisage Band Of Brothers rising to Stakes firm so early in his profession, regardless of each he and Ellerton having an opinion of the gelding.

“We at all times favored him however successful a Group race was in all probability a stretch,” Lane mentioned.

“He was a really inexperienced, uncooked horse, however we knew he had loads to come back.

“Credit score to the workforce in figuring out this race because it was going to be a small discipline and we elected to come back right here reasonably than a (benchmark) 64 at Sandown on Wednesday.”

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