Not even trainer Vincent Malady was prepared for the strong finishing burst from Boyfromwye who stormed home to an impressive victory at only his second race start at Kyneton on Friday.
The promising three-year-old settled off midfield and unleashed a mighty run over the last 200 metres to land the bet365 Odds Drift Protector Maiden Plate (1450m).
“We rode him to be hitting the line, but I wasn’t expecting him to reel them in the way he did on this tight track,” Vincent said.
“He surprised me as I didn’t think he would be so sharp.”
Well supported, Boyfromwye ($4.20) made it look easy as he quickly made up the best part of six lengths to hit the lead and score running away by 1-1/2 lengths from Private Island ($5) and $2.80 fav Gunnafly, another three lengths away third.
“He was always going to be set a task today as we wanted to let him find his feet early and teach him to settle,” Vincent said.
“He’s a naturally clean-winded horse who doesn’t carry much condition, so he’s got good potential to be a stayer.”
Last month Boyfromwye made his race debut over 1312 metres on his home track at Geelong, but he did not have much luck, finishing seventh of the 10 runners.
“The experts today who did the form liked him on his run at Geelong and fortunately for us they were right,” Vincent said.
Jockey Jarrod Fry has ridden Boyfromwye at both his starts and he was encouraged by the gelding’s Geelong run when he had trouble getting clear running over the last 150 metres.
“Today he took a little bit to get going but I kept at him and to his credit he hit the line really nicely,” Jarrod said.
“He’s only going to improve over more ground.”
Remarkably, Boyfromwye only got a start at Kyneton as the second emergency after scratchings.
The win was a triumph for owner Peter Russell who bred Boyfromwye and his dam Barmaid from Wye who won three races.
Notably Boyfromwye’s is one of only 23 Australian named foals by Dark Cove, who won nine races from 1700m to 2400m including three Group features in America.