by Michael Howard
With patience and purpose John Caldow waited and when the door opened his mighty mare was too good, with Milly Perez producing a ripping country cup win.
The Charlton and District Community Bank Cup triumph was made all the more memorable for trainer Larry Eastman and his team because it came at Charlton Park.
“I was absolutely ecstatic,” Eastman said. “She is locally owned by Frank McGrath of Charlton, who indicated he had never won a race at Charlton, my wife (Lynette) is an ex-Charlton girl and I spent time there as the football coach and coached them to the premiership in 1989.
“So the cup has got a special spot for us. It’s a big thrill for all concerned.”
Milly Perez, a six-year-old Four Starzzz Shark mare, had seven starts this campaign before Charlton, placing in the Alabar Ladyship Cup and winning the TAB.com.au Pace before last week’s ninth placing in the PETstock Bendigo Pacing Cup.
“I gave her a really good chance (at Charlton),” Eastman said. “I was not disappointed with the Bendigo cup, Chris (Alford) just pulled the wrong rein which he said himself afterwards.
“I knew the 2600m would suit her. Her work during the week was good and she’s a tough little mare.”
From gate eight, Milly Perez slotted in third on the pegs behind leader Stormfortheboys and Mark Dennis, who slotted into the box seat.
“I knew a long way out she was right in this race,” Eastman said. “(John Caldow) did everything right on her. That’s how she’s best driven and it meant she had that burst at the end.”
And burst she did, with Caldow coming one-wide off the final bend and then slotting back inside Stormfortheboys as he eased right, enabling Milly Perez to salute by 1.1m from Dean Braun trained Im Corzin Terror and stablemate Stormfortheboys.
The win registered Milly Perez’s first points of the Trots Country Cups Championship, but she will be eying plenty more this Friday night when she contests the $75,000 Group 2 Decron Cranbourne Gold Cup.
“She will go to the Cranbourne cup and will be up in grade a bit further,” Eastman said. “Then she will have a bit of a freshen up before tackling the Mildura Cup (on April 8).”
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