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Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators

Waroona trainer Bob Mellsop made a wise decision to heed the advice of his astute New Zealand talent spotter and purchase Our Star Watch last December.

He then syndicated the four-year-old gelding to ten loyal stable clients, who are thoroughly enjoying his first season of racing in Western Australia.

“I didn’t pay a huge amount of money for him, and he has well and truly lived up to expectations,” said Mellsop.

Our Star Watch, the $2.30 favourite from the No. 1 barrier in the 2536m TABtouch Better Your Bet Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night, was driven by Kyle Harper, who rated the gelding perfectly in front on his way to a convincing win from $5 chance Middlepage, who fought on doggedly after working hard in the breeze throughout. 

This gave Our Star Watch a West Australian record of 13 starts for four wins and six placings, after having 16 starts in New Zealand for two wins and five placings.

“My New Zealand contact recommended him, and the only times he has missed the money he has been unlucky,” Mellsop said.

Our Star Watch is raced by a syndicate comprising Murray and Sally Butterworth, Elaine Nicholson, Eric Hall, Lindsay Sims, his daughter Kellie Stott, Alan Bonney, Chris Hillman, Peter McDermott and Greg Kilmaster.

“I bought about five or six other horses about the same time, and they include Cassius Bromac, Hesty, Apollo Rock and Icanbolt,” said Mellsop. Our Star Watch, who is by American sire Hes Watching, is the first foal out of the unraced Bettors Delight mare Star N Diamonds. He has earned $45,527 from six wins and 11 placings from 29 starts.