Bellman chasing The Great Square glory after Group 1 surge

By Darren Clayton

Victorian Michael Bellman is proof that good things come to those who wait.

With over 2,000 driving wins to his name, a victory at the elite level was proving elusive for the 45-year-old.

That was until a magical six-week period at the end of 2025 when Bellman partnered with three-year-old trotting gelding Mecarno, who he also trains, to claim three Group 1 victories.

First came the Victoria Trotters Derby, then a VICBRED Super Series Final, before his season ended with victory in the Breeders Crown, all at Group 1 level.

With the temptation of tackling the 2025 edition of The Great Square last December, Bellman opted to stay home and target the Breeders Crown with an eye to the 2026 edition.

“Chris Barsby rang last year and said, look, the format will change next year, but we should go up as a three-year-old,” Bellman said.

“We either had to go for that or miss a couple of features here. So, we just thought, little fish are sweet and we just stayed at home.”

With victory secured in successive Group 1 events, attention then turned to 2026 and Brisbane was the starting point.

“When he won those races last year, we basically had everything prepped around coming up for The Great Square this time," the trainer and driver said. 

Securing an invite earlier in the year gave Bellman the chance to map a path aimed at having the gelding ready to fire on July 4.

However, suitable races have been hard to find in Victoria.

“They have not catered anything for three and four-year-olds at home at the moment,” Bellman said.

“I've had no option, but to go in the free-for-alls or stay home.”

The classy four-year-old will now head to The Great Square with two runs under his belt, having tackled free-for-all company in both.

Resuming on June 6 at Melton, Mecarno faced a tough run when finishing midfield behind I Am Wilma.

Second-up on Saturday, Mecarno started from barrier two and was not pressed early as Rockinwithattitude speared across to lead from six.

Keayang Stuka eventually won the race by a narrow margin over the David Miles-trained Rockinwithattitude. Defending Inter Dominion champion Arcee Phoenix finished third.

Settling in the running line, Mecarno found the line nicely and although finishing fifth, the pleasing aspect of the result came from those that beat him home.

The first four across the line will all be contesting the Inter Dominion.

“He had a sectional of 56 seconds for himself,” Bellman said.

“When he won the Derby and the Breeders, he only got home in 56.6 seconds, so, it's hard to gauge where he's at, because of that.

“But, we've been beaten by some pretty quality animals.”

Mecarno is taking the owners and Bellman on a wonderful ride and the Victorian is enjoying every moment as it comes along.

With a Golden Ticket into the Inter Dominion for the winner of The Great Square, at this stage Bellman feels it would be an option to grab.

“I think we would because of the way the format is that you go around against three and four-year-olds again the next week," he said. 

“Then you only have to tackle those elite ones on grand final night and we can just put him in, drive him accordingly, enjoy the moment.”

If Mecarno can win The Great Square, the celebrations and salute could be something that Albion Park has never witnessed.

The wave of jubilation from that maiden Group 1 victory last season was matched with the celebration which Bellman outlined soon after the success.

“As soon as I get him home and tucked away in his yard, I will pin the ears back and have a crack, you’ve got to celebrate accordingly,” he had said following the Derby triumph.

So, what will the celebrations be like if Mecarno can claim The Great Square?

“Yeah, probably do the same thing,” he laughed.