SHELBOURNE trainer Larry Eastman admits he has to keep pinching himself to make sure he’s not dreaming.
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The veteran trainer added another Group One title to his name when star pacer Menin Gate scored an all-the-way win in Sarturday night’s Queensland Derby at Albion Park.
It was Menin Gate’s third Group One win this season following victories in the Victoria Derby and the Victorian Super Series final.
“He (Menin Gate) is a once in a lifetime horse,’’ Eastman said from Brisbane.
“It’s hard to believe it sometimes… it really hasn’t sunk in yet that he’s won these races. It’s been an amazing six months for everyone involved.”
Menin Gate was taken straight to the front by driver Chris Alford and never looked like losing.
The three-year-old carved out splits of 30.5, 30.1, 27.9 and 27.6 seconds to win in a slick mile rate of 1:57.9.
“Everything fell into place with the barrier draws, but when you get some luck like that you have to make the most of it,’’ Eastman said.
“He went straight to the front and won very impressively. He’s the real deal.”
Menin Gate is raced by a group of harness racing fans from Birchip.
“We celebrated last night and, thankfully, the Birchip boys flew home today,’’ Eastman said with a chuckle.
“They are a great bunch of people and they enjoy all the success they get.”
Eastman and Menin Gate will return to Bendigo this week, with the next goal the lucrative Breeders Crown series in August.
“The heats of the Breeders Crown are two to three weeks away, so he’ll have an easy week before we rev him up again,’’ Eastman said. "He is spot on at the moment, so he won’t need much work.”
