Comeback Queen Melsadele Delivers Emotional Win

Melsadele (Orlando Vici – Wheresmemum) rewarded patient breeders Ken McGrath and Melanie Baker with a stirring victory in last Friday night’s $32,550 METRO TROTTERS SERIES FINAL HANDICAP TROT at Alexandra Park.

“She means a hell of a lot to us,” said Ken McGrath. “We’ve put a lot into her, and it was pretty damn emotional actually—for both Melanie and I. Brought a tear to the eye, mate.”

The talented trotting mare had been off the scene for nearly 15 months following a minor tendon issue picked up after her classic season, which included runner-up finishes in both the NSW Derby and New Zealand Derby.

“Bernie and Michelle contacted me and said, ‘We think she’s done a tendon,’ which was the news we didn’t want. But Rob Hitchcock at Cambridge Equine Vets gave us hope. He said, ‘You’ve got a chance of getting this horse back to the racetrack.’”

A carefully executed rehabilitation plan followed, led by Hitchcock, farrier Cameron McKenzie, and the specialist team at Margaret Park.

“Rob set the plan. Melanie and I box-rested her for six weeks, started walking her quietly. Then she went to Margaret Park—water walkers, top facilities—and they did a tremendous job. Rob was scanning her almost monthly, Cam kept her front feet just right. They all worked together like a team.”

After nearly 12 months of rehab and slow reconditioning, Melsadele returned to work with trainers Bernie Hackett and Michelle Wallis. A close second in her first run back was followed by Friday’s commanding win.

“All we were hoping for in that first race was that she got around without breaking down. Even with those Derbies, I don’t think I’ve ever been that nervous. But the scans looked great, she looked a picture. We’d done everything right. It was overwhelming to see her perform like that again.”

McGrath credits driver Todd Mitchell with helping the mare return to full potential.

“Todd had said she feels better than she ever did. Bigger, stronger, more mature. He said she’s never felt better to him. That was really nice to hear.”

Future plans will be measured, but ambitions remain high.

“My feeling is we should be targeting races. I don’t think we need to beat her up at this stage. Michelle is looking at a couple more runs, then possibly a short freshen-up. But we’ll go where they think she’s best suited.”

A trip south is not off the radar. “She’s a brilliant traveller. Took the Aussie and South Island trips last time in her stride. Never went off her feed or anything, so if Michelle thinks she’s right for it, we’ll be all for it.”

Her dam Wheresmemum has now been retired, but the McGraths are continuing the family line through her daughters.

“She got in foal last year but didn’t hold it, and she’s struggling a bit with past injuries. So she’s retired now. But her daughters are really promising—Mum’s Jewel and Mum’s Star. If you put all our foals in a paddock together, we’d pick those two. They’re both by Orlando Vici and very, very nice.”

While they’ve had great success with the French sire, the McGraths are considering fresh options for the upcoming season.

“We’ve supported Orlando Vici really well, but we’ve got quite a few now. The plan was always to go French for a while, then maybe cross back to the American bloodlines. It’s an exciting time for us with those young broodmares.”

And while Melsadele’s return has already brought great satisfaction, one race remains firmly on their radar.

“I’d love nothing more than to win the Waikato one,” said McGrath.

“Mel and I had a lot to do with getting that race started and invested a fair bit to get it going. The fillies and mares—mate, they were neglected for far too long. They deserve their opportunity, don’t they?”