Michael Walker heads into his convalescence a winner following Ladies In Racing Merson Cooper Stakes victory today at Sportingbet Park (Sandown).The classy Kiwi rider teamed with Bulbula to win the $120,000 Listed event for David Hayes.The final metropolitan feature program of this year's Spring Racing Carnival is Walker's final meeting before hip surgery that will sideline him for at least three months.He was thrilled to end the Carnival a winner and said Bulbula did a good job to score."I


Michael Walker heads into his convalescence a winner following Ladies In Racing Merson Cooper Stakes victory today at Sportingbet Park (Sandown).

The classy Kiwi rider teamed with Bulbula to win the $120,000 Listed event for David Hayes.

The final metropolitan feature program of this year's Spring Racing Carnival is Walker's final meeting before hip surgery that will sideline him for at least three months.

He was thrilled to end the Carnival a winner and said Bulbula did a good job to score.

"It's a good effort for a two-year-old to come here, first time down this chute (on a) semi dogleg and then get down the dip," he said. "I held her so I could get down the dip, but I was confident."

Bulbula's dash carried the $13 chance to a one-length win over $2.15 favourite Purrific, while blueblood colt Sidestep ($4.60) made good ground to finish third, a further three quarters of a length, after a slow beginning.

Hayes said that while Bulbula - a daughter of Shamardal and Tameer, a filly Hayes trained - had shown ability at home he was surprised with the style of her win.

"It surprised me she could lead so easily," he said. "She's always shown a bit of speed at home, but she got her own her way in front.

"The Merson Cooper (form) can hold up from time to time and she hasn't completely come on in the coat yet, so she's nowhere near peaking."

"Putting a line through that, we've got a couple that I think would hold up pretty well alongside her, so that's encouraging."

Hayes is likely to now give Bulbula a let-up before bringing her back for the late summer features. (www.racingvictoria.net.au)