BELL ON THE BALL FOR O'HALLORAN

SATURDAY: February 1, 2025: IT’S no wonder Steve O’Halloran called on Mitchell Bell to break his run of minor placings, at Bathurst yesterday.

Bell has been the Hawkesbury trainer’s most successful jockey, and won his fifth race for O’Halloran, getting “out of trouble” to score on $1.50 hotpot Benamera in the Maiden Plate (1400m).

Not surprisingly, O’Halloran was full of praise afterwards for the “no frills” Bell, who provided him with his second success of the season – with 10 minor placings (six of them seconds) interspersed between his previous winner Rico Suave at Hawkesbury on August 13 last year.

“I’m always happy to have Mitchell on my horses whenever possible,” O’Halloran said today.

“He is an experienced jockey who always makes the right decisions.

“Things looked a bit hairy when he was on the fence on straightening after jumping from the inside barrier, and seemingly had nowhere to go.

“Most jockeys would have been looking to get to the outside, but Mitchell didn’t panic, stayed on the inside and the run eventually came and he got the job done.”

Benamera, a three-year-old son of Cosmic Force who races in the familiar Bob Hannon colours, surged through when he did get clear running and held off The Bullet ($15) and Hinune ($4.40) to break through at his 10th start.

The gelding was having his seventh start this campaign, which began with a fifth over 1100m at his home track on October 17 last year.

He had posted three minor placings (at Newcastle, Mudgee and Orange) and his trainer admitted he was a little concerned beforehand that he was coming to the end of his preparation.

“It was nice to get his maiden out of the way, and he can go for a break now,” O’Halloran said.

“I’ll give him a month out and then bring him back and try to win a couple more with him.

“I’m sure the Bathurst win will do Benamera’s confidence the world of good.”

Whilst it was a while between drinks for the experienced Hawkesbury horseman, who clinched his 24th career victory, he is hoping to strike while the iron’s hot again next weekend.

His next runner will be Webejamin at Kembla Grange on Saturday.

Like her trainer, Webejamin also deserves a change of fortune.

The four-year-old daughter of Starspangledbanner has been placed at her last three starts at Canberra, Orange and Newcastle, and in fact has filled minor placings at six of eight career outings.