Under rated stayer Bling It On has claimed his first Group title, taking out the Group 3 Sir John Dillon Memorial at Sandown Park tonight.
Bling It On pinged from box three to lead Sydneysider Zipping Lad through the first turn. From there, Bling It On was never headed, racing to 5½ length win in a slick 42.00 seconds.
Sandown Cup winner and former track record holder Bobby Boucheau, having his first start since August, finished second with Pillow Torque a further ½ head away third.
It was the biggest prize of the 3½ year old son of Where’s Pedro, who missed 12 months of racing due to a career threatening injury.
“Unfortunately he broke a hock a bit over 12 months ago. To get him back and win this prestigious race is a great honour,” said trainer John Westerlo.
It was a fantastic family effort for the Westerlos, with wife Carol owning and breeding the dog.
The win was the 16th of Bling It On’s career and took his career earnings beyond $92,000. He will now target the $75,000 to the winner Group 1 Bold Trease Carnival Cup, to be run on Solo Melbourne Cup night on Thursday 17 November.
