Morning Darling had his consistency rewarded with an impressive Bendigo win on Saturday.
The four-year-old gelding was first-up from a spell and despite getting back to third last one point of the Bishop Joe Grech Memorial Maiden Plate (1000m), finished full of running to score a 2-1/4 length victory.
Ridden by Mitch Aitken, Morning Darling ($3.20) was far too good for outsider Kamchatka ($26) and Rare Oro (31).
The win was a pleasing result for owners John and Helen McPhee who had watched Morning Darling get so close in his first campaign with the Malady stable.
Last preparation he had six starts for a half-length second at Ballarat, plus three thirds and two fourths.
“He tries hard but had just been finding one or two a bit better of the day,” trainer Vincent Malady said.
“Today the race panned out well for him as he was able to get good a cart up into the race and when Mitch called on him in the straight, he responded really well.
“He’s come back a bit bigger and stronger and that win should give him a bit of confidence.”
By Love Conquers All, Morning Darling is the first foal from dual city winner Native Land and his grand-dam Fuss was a Group 3 winner who was placed in both the Mornington Cup and Geelong Oaks Trial Stakes.