Beau Mertens pumps his fist as Bassett wins the Listed Abell Stakes (Image: Racing Photos)
Beau Mertens is having a breakout season, and on Friday night, he broke through for the first time in a stakes race, riding Bassett to a comprehensive win in the Sweeney Estate Agents Abell Stakes (1200m) at The Valley.
Mertens' 38th Melbourne metro winner of the 2016-17 season saw him get on the board in black-type company, and didn't he enjoy it - the 19-year-old apprentice had enough time for a fist pump on the line as he rode the Mick Price-trained on-pacer to a 2.25-length victory from a bunch finish for the minors.
His form this season has led to opportunities in Group 1 company in recent weeks - he rode 300-1 shot Aegean Sea in the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield in February, and also Abbey Marie for boss Mick Kent in last week's Coolmore Classic at Rosehill.
Beau's father Peter is a Group 1-winning jockey, and the apprentice's career is certainly headed in a similar direction.
WATCH: Bassett's brave Abell Stakes win