Improving galloper Magic Bertie looks set for a good campaign after scoring third up from a spell at Kyneton.
Ridden by Fred Kersley, Magic Albert gelding got the luck he needed at a vital stage of the race to land Saturday’s Vale Brian Fleming 0-58 Hcp (1115m).
Magic Bertie ($9.50) took up a prominent position early and speared through a timely gap to beat Villianaire ($8) by a long neck with $3.10 favourite Royal Signal a similar margin back in third place.
Trainer Vincent Malady said the intention had been to ride Magic Bertie more forward at his previous start, but he began awkwardly and ran on from last to finish fourth at Ballarat.
“He was much better at Kyneton where he jumped well and enjoyed a good run on the rails behind the leader,” Vincent said.
The race panned out perfectly until Magic Bertie got held up from the home turn to the 200 metres but Fred Kersley’s persistence in trying for a run between Stirrup and Villianaire paid off.
He dashed to the front passing the 100 metres and out-gunned his rivals to the line.
Successful owners John and Helen McPhee have had many horses over the years, and they celebrated with Vincent their first winner together when Magic Bertie scored at Ballarat in June last year. He won again at Warracknabeal in September.
“It has taken some work to get him to settle in his races but at Kyneton his manners could not have been better,” Vincent said.
“He was always travelling comfortably and hopefully it is a sign of better things to come.”
Magic Bertie has raced 17 times for three wins, four placings and $67,080 in prizemoney.