Jockey John Allen provided a change of fortune for St Leger Stakes placegetter Midnight Glow who posted an overdue win at Ballarat.
Trainer Vincent Malady said it had been a challenge to get the best out of the Sebring four-year-old and attributed Wednesday’s win in the Hygain Winners Choice BM64 Hcp (2000m) to the rider change.
“The horse hasn’t been racing badly for other riders, but he is a big thinker and John Allen suits those horses,” Vincent said.
“He’s only won once out of a fair few starts but he has a fair bit of ability and it’s just a matter of tapping into it.”
“He showed talent as a three-year-old with his previous trainer but with me training him this preparation he hasn’t reached his full potential yet.
“John Allen got enough out of him to get him over the line, but he’s a horse I think has got more under the bonnet.
“If he hadn’t won today we would have out blinkers on him but we have got them up our sleeve for later on, probably next preparation,” Vincent said.
John Allen said Midnight Glow “clocked off” when he got to the front and just managed to keep his head in front.
“He was always travelling well and while he got back a bit, he had an uninterrupted run through which helped as he is a big horse,” John said.
After settling worse than midfield and seven lengths off the lead, Midnight Glow improved around the home turn and straightened up behind the leaders before Allen steered him into the clear passing the 200 metres.
Starting at $4.80, Midnight Glow scored in a photo finish from Gottabesavvy ($3.30) and Sacred Bull ($4.60).
He has now won twice in 22 starts and placed on another nine occasions with career earnings of $217,900 for his owner Eddie Hirsch.
As a three-year-old Midnight Glow won his maiden at Benalla and finished second in last year’s Listed Galilee Final (2400m) and St Leger Stakes (3000m) at Sandown.
“He stays well and he handles wet tracks which is a bonus at this time of the year,” Vincent said.