Former Hong Kong galloper Theophilus recaptured winning form when he scored at Wodonga on Saturday.
Well backed from $10 to $7.50, the six-year-old finished strongly from midfield to land the bet365 Never Ordinary 0-58 Hcp (1590m).
Cory Parish rode Theophilus who was held up briefly behind the leaders on the turn before being steadied off and heels and into the clear soon after entering the home straight.
Approaching the 100 metres the gelding joined Miss Tramwell ($6.50) in the lead and got home by a long neck, with Ninyo ($11) three quarters of a length away in third place.
Theophilus had not won since posting consecutive wins at Bendigo in Maiden and BM64 events but has had his excuses when well beaten at his next three runs before a spell.
Trainer Vicent Malady said Theophilus had benefited from three runs this campaign and got a well-deserved result for his owners Eden Wong and Anita Chu.
“He got back too far last start at Ararat, but the race panned out well for him today,” trainer Vincent Malady said
“He was much closer in the run and the cards fell his way when he was able to get out and make his run.
“He’s been a nervous horse which has counted against him at times, but it was good to see him win again today.”
Theophilus placed four times up to 2000 metres in Hong Kong and Vincent is hopeful he will get over a similar trip this campaign.
“We tried him over 2000 metres last campaign, but it was no guide at all as he was caught three-wide with no cover and over-raced,” Vincent said.
By Teofilo, Theophilus comes from a decorated family and cost $110,000 at the 2020 Inglis Gold Sale.
He is a half-brother to the talented Carina Queen and his dam is five-time winning Zabeel mare Hot Augusta who is a three-quarter sister to Cox Plate winner Maldivian.