SOURCE: MICHAEL MANLEY, Herald Sun /

DARREN Weir achieved his aim of winning a Group One race with Hellbent, when he stormed home to win the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

“That made up for last year. The job’s done with him now,” Weir said.

Weir was referring to last year when he was beaten a short half head by Silent Sedition in the William Reid Stakes.

He was also referring to the fact that Hellbent being by I Am Invincible and owned by Yarrman Stud had now secured his future as a stallion.

Weir said Hellbent, was in a great mood last night, which made him confident he would run well.

“He’s always had the ability but things just haven’t worked out for him. It did tonight especially thanks to Craig’s ride as he had him a couple of spots closer in the run than I thought and then he got going on him at the right time.”

It was Weir’s sixth Group One win for the season, which places him one in front of the Hayes/Hayes/Dabernig team and also Chris Waller.

Craig Williams settled Hellbent($10) well back in the run but hooked out with 600m to go and he charged around the field to run down the brave front runner Thronum ($8) by a half-length with another Lindsay Park runner Catchy ($15) a length away third.

Williams described Hellbent’s performance as “simply awesome.” Hellbent’s time of 1.09.36 was only .07 seconds outside Miss Andretti’s course record.

Hellbent was the third leg of a winning treble for Weir who had also won earlier with Divine Command and Think Bleue, who also gave him his 100th city winner for the season.

Cranbourne trainer Ken Keys has elevated Spanish Reef to the status of one of the best horses he has trained after she made it three wins from three starts this campaign with an easy win in the Group 2 Sunline Stakes (1600m).

Keys said he would look at taking Spanish Reef to Sydney for the carnival to contest the Coolmore Classic for mares.

 Sale one horse trainer Andrew Murray received the biggest pay cheque of any trainer last night when his sprinter Sunday Escape recorded the fastest time in the series recording 54.75 seconds to win 55 Second Challenge.

Murray received a cheque for $55,000 and he was overcome after his consistent sprinter held on to win the 975m dash.