After failing to win a race and running several placings in over two years, Hinged ($4) has finally broken her lengthy winless drought by claiming the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes at Flemington, giving Chris Waller and James McDonald another winner at the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The daughter of Worthy Cause recorded her previous victory on February 26, 2022, and since then she has finished in the placings on nine occasions, which led many punters to steer clear of the six-year-old mare, drifting from an opening quote of $3.30 to jump at $4 with Neds.
However, in just her third attempt at Flemington, McDonald got everything out of his mount to claim a very brave Sirileo Miss ($41) in the final bounds at the end of the 2000m journey.
Declan Bates adopted Pride Of Jenni-like tactics on Sirileo Miss, sprinting out to an early two-length lead over Liveore ($26), Wishlor Lass ($23) and Lady In Pink ($14) before lifting the tempo at the 800m mark to build on her lead.
Lady In Pink was the only runner from the top four that battled on and chased the tearaway leader turning for home, while the likes of Hinged, Little Mix ($13) and Firestorm ($5.50) made their runs down the middle of the track.
With 200m to go, there appeared to be only one runner that could run down the leader, and it was McDonald getting absolutely everything out of Hinged, who put in the big bounds late to nab Sirileo Miss in the last 20m of the race.
Lady In Pink and Little Mix continued to chase gamely and finished in third and fourth place, respectively.
2024 Matriarch Stakes replay – Hinged
Chris Waller appeared to be a relieved trainer when he spoke about the win post-race.
“She loves racing to be fair and although she’s getting on in life, it’s the best she’s ever looked and I took a video of her and sent it to the owners yesterday to say look at how well she’s travelled down from Sydney as well as racing last Saturday, you’d hardly know,” Waller said.
“So it’s a little trip away stimulator and so many things in her favour.
“Great ride from James McDonnell, nice draw, good weight and a long Flemington straight so it made it easier.
“It worked out perfectly the first half of the race, James got her in a good spot, good speed so it set up well.”
James McDonald was quick in his assessment of the win.
“A great will to win and she did a good job,” McDonald said.
“It set up really well, she was well- placed under those conditions and it’s a really good race to win so it adds a good value to her.”
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