Fast Melody loves a grandstand finish and after going 18 months without a win he finally delivered for his patient owners at Kilmore on Thursday.
Ridden by three-kilo claiming apprentice Maddi Price, the six-year-old appreciated the soft ground, charging through the field in the middle of the track from last to land the Georgina & Co BM58 Hcp (1450m).
Despite settling 12 lengths off the lead, Maddi was confident Fast Melody would finish off strongly just as he had done when she rode him previously when second at Kilmore in February and third at Geelong last start.
“I knew I had a lot there when I came to the corner, so I just had to trust the horse to get to the line which he did,” Maddi said.
Fast Melody is a noted backmarker and trainer Vincent Malady said Maddi rode the perfect race on him.
“She has had three rides on him for two placings and now a win so it’s clear he runs well for her,” Vincent said.
He said Fast Melody needed luck in his races because of his racing style but had rarely run badly.
“He’s big gangly horse who gets back and finds it hard to win but we are always confident he will run well, especially on tracks with a bit of give in them.
“He’s not that comfortable on firm ground so this this time of year really suits him.”
Fast Melody joined the Malady stable a couple years ago after starting his career in New South Wales.
He won twice at Hamilton in his first five runs for the stable, his last win in December 2021.
In more than half of his runs since he has finished within three lengths of the winner.
“He just needs that luck to get through the field and he got that today,” Vincent said.
“It looked a nice race for him over 1450 metres and the extra distance really helped him.”
Fast Melody ($8) unwound a withering run from eight lengths behind in third last place in to the straight, shooting through the middle of six horses which were fanned across the track at the 50 metres to score by a head from hot favourite Blackcomb ($2.40).
“It was a terrific win for the owners who have been very patient,” Vincent said.