Brallos Pass makes the perfect comeback

With an impressive resume of victories to his credit, it’s possibly a little surprising that Victorian trainer Mark Watson would name a Friday night win at Mildura as his biggest thrill.

Emotions overflowed for the Watson family when their grand old campaigner “Franky”, eight-year-old stallion Brallos Pass, saluted in a $12,000 feature after 18 months off the scene.

To return him to racing, and to score a first-up win, was a remarkable training performance.

“It was my biggest thrill in all the years I’ve been involved. But it was a team effort and that’s what it takes to achieve a result like this,” Watson said.

“He’s our stable star. He’s only a little horse, but he’s got a big heart.”

Brallos Pass (Major In Art-Miss Athens (Bettors Delight) took out the Tasco Petroleum Pace, courtesy of a gem of a drive by star Bendigo reinsman Jack Laugher. The pacer now has 19 wins and 31 placings from 83 starts for earnings over $315,000.

Along the way he was runner up in the 2YO Vicbred Super Series, won the South Australian Derby, a heat of the NSW Derby, a heat of the Vicbred Super Series 3YO (and third in the final), back to back Albury Commercial Club Pacing Cups, and feature races around Victoria and NSW.

“Franky” was sent to the paddock in May last year, potentially retirement-bound, after an ongoing battle with a fetlock injury in his near side front leg.

“We put him out when I couldn’t get it right. He was the best horse I’d ever trained and of course we’d go and check on him regularly,” Watson said.

But after Watson and his wife Michelle visited the Harkaway Lodge rehab facility, operated by Brett and Janelle Bunfield, they decided it might just be a chance for Brallos Pass. Watch Brallos Pass during rehab here.

“We went to look at another one of our horses in Prosecco Boy who was at the Bunfields doing a water walking program after he fractured a cartilage in his pedal bone,” Watson said.

“Both Michelle and I looked at each other after seeing his improvement and we both said Brallos Pass was well worth a chance. We spoke with the owners Mal Lennie, of Merbein, near Mildura, and his brother Neil on the Gold Coast, and they agreed so it just went from there.

“We also got advice from Simon Robinson, of the Victorian Equine Group, farrier Ray Sutton and Bec Cartwright regarding feeding information.”

Watson was full of praise for young freelance reinsman Jack Laugher who was having just his third drive for the stable.

“He’s a talent that’s for sure. It was his first win for us, but his handling of ‘Franky’ was great. We are so lucky to have outstanding youngsters in our driving ranks like Jack and James Herbertson.”

Watson said part-owner Mal Lennie was excited to be trackside to watch Brallos Pass at the first Mildura meeting allowing patrons back on course.

“We had a great time. We stayed the night at my parents (Ian and Alison) place. While the horse seems well, we haven’t picked out his next outing, but we’ll have a look soon at what’s around,” he said.

By Terry Gange for Harnesslink