REJUVENATED MOTELL ON A ROLL

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, February 14, 2024

The rejuvenated seven-year-old Motell was a Michael Nolan stable winner on February 14 taking out a BM65 Handicap over 2030m at Doomben.

The son of Uncle Mo came into the Nolan yard as a five-time winner from thirty-seven starts ... but his form seemed to have plateaued as he had only finished better than fourth on one occasion in his last thirteen starts before switching stables.

There was no immediate form turnaround when Motell resumed after a four month break from race action and raced for the first time for the Nolan yard, but four runs in quick succession (from November 11, 2023 to December 29, 2023) helped Motell build race winning fitness, to the degree that he was able to land a runaway win in the BM58 Handicap over 1666m at Ipswich on January 6, 2024 as the $2.10 favourite under Jai Williams.

In his follow-up run, in a BM78 Handicap over 1600m at the Sunshine Coast (at a Saturday metropolitan meeting) Motell’s third placing was good enough to suggest that he was indeed in a progressive mood as, after an ordinary start and racing nine to ten lengths back for the furst half of the race, he made up good ground in the home straight to close to within 2.50 lengths of the winner, Cocobrew Express, at the line.

On the basis of that effort Nolan had no hesitation in stepping up the distance test to 2030m for Motell’s next start at Doomben two-and-a-half weeks later and ... hey presto ... Motell put his second win for the stable on the board.

This time it was the 3kg claimer Yvette Lewis doing the honours in the saddle. Lewis was an astute booking from the stable as the claim arguably played its part in the winning outcome.

Again Motell wasn't well away, and he ultimately settled just worse than midfield as the runners went down the back straight, saving ground but racing seven lengths off the speed.

Lewis stuck with the inside run on the turn which brought Motell right into contention and, when the rail run remained open to her down the home straight, Lewis pushed Motell forward and the Nolan trained runner responded well, quickly surging into the lead by the 200m mark and then staying on strongly enough to ward off the persistent threat of Googaz and the flying finish of Four ‘O Clock Rock, who had to settle for second and third place respectively.

That’s two wins from his last three starts for Motell ... with his overall race record now stretching to seven wins from forty-three starts with $208 212 banked in prize-money.

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