Easy Jay revived memories of his maiden win more than a year ago when he overcame a wide run to score at Werribee which has become his favourite track.
He jumped from gate 10 and it is doubtful he was any closer to the rail than that throughout the Australian Bloodstock 0-58 Hcp (1100m).
While he raced wide on the speed when he won his Werribee maiden, he was nearly three lengths off the pace on Saturday and giving the leaders about five lengths start turning home after covering so much ground on the turn.
Into the straight, he looked too far back to win and despite surging home in impressive fashion not even the racecaller Terry Bailey thought he had won.
In a deceptive photo finish, a half-head margin was found in favour of the second favourite Easy Jay ($4.60) who bloused Beaunified ($7) with Brazen Brando ($8.50) a close third.
“We always knew from the barrier he was going to be wide and to be fair he was probably in best ground out where he was on the heavy track,” trainer Vincent Malady said.
For the first time, Mitch Aitken partnered Easy Jay who is his seventh winner for the stable this season.
Phillipines-based owner Putch Puyat owns Easy Jay who is a well-bred four-year-old son of champion galloper Lonhro from Encosta de Lago mare Kiss From A Rose, who won four of her eight starts including the Listed 2011 STC Triscay Stakes.
“Easy Jay is a short-coupled type, so we’ve always regarded him as a sprinter and he loves wet tracks,” Vincent said.
“He won his maiden on similar ground to today and we could have a lot of fun with him if we get a wet winter.”