Silent Sedition holds off Hellbent to win Group 1 William Reid
IT was a night to remember for trainer Andrew Noblet and jockey Katelyn Mallyon as Silent Sedition held off Hellbent to win the Group 1 William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley.
The ultra-consistent Silent Sedition ($7.40 at Ladbrokes) went one better than last start in the Group 1 Coolmore and it took its chance to shine under the lights in front of a packed crowd at The Valley.
The win was the first group one for both Andrew Noblet and Katelyn Mallyon, with the latter overcome with emotion following the race.
“I can’t believe it,” Mallyon said. “I can’t believe I’ve won a group one.
“She doesn’t want to get beaten, there’s big things in store for her. I’m sure this isn’t the only group one she’s going to win.”
Mallyon returned to scale a group one winner for the first time and she stated how much her family would be proud of her achievement.
“I’m just so over the moon, you’ve got no idea how much I wanted this,” a tearful Mallyon said.
“I know how much heart she’s got this horse, I knew once Hellbent got to me I knew she was never going to get beat.
“I’m so thrilled. Thrilled for my entire family. I know pops is going to be the proudest person on this earth.
“It’s good to be a group one winner, it’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
Mallyon gave the four-year-old a good ride in behind the speed which was set by Sheidel and Hooked, but they were both gone on the turn and Mallyon came between runners and fought back as Hellbent eyeballed it in the straight.
“I know she’s all heart, she’s a horse that I knew if I could get a soft enough run from the barrier she was always going to fight like a lion, no matter what came at her,” Mallyon said.
“She was doing it so comfortable and once that horse got to me, I could feel her not going to let it get past.
“She pinned her ears back and she’s very hard to get past. She’s amazing.”
It was also Andrew Noblet’s first group one success and after going close in the Group 1 Coolmore at Rosehill over 1500m, Noblet wasn’t expecting a sprinting win on Friday night.
“She’s an absolute ripper. I didn’t expect much tonight to tell you the truth – coming back from the mile, coming back from Sydney, to do that was excellent,” Noblet said.
“I didn’t want to run her in a mile, so this was the only logical choice.”
Silent Sedition has missed the placings only once from 16 starts, which came at Moonee Valley when running fourth and Noblet credited his consistent William Reid Stakes champion.
“It’s unbelievable,” Noblet said. “She’s raced here once before and ran forth, she’s never run worse than that.
“She’s just an unbelievable talent this mare.”
Hellbent lost no admirers in finishing second after looking the likely winner halfway down the straight. Trainer Darren Weir was pleased with the result and is weighing up its future options this autumn.
“The winner was too good on the day, got to cop the defeat,” Weir said. “Our horse ran really brave and he’ll get his chance somewhere to win one of these races because he’s definitely got the ability.
“There’s The Goodwood coming up, maybe Sydney. I don’t know – there’s certainly a nice race in him.”