Chris Waller’s import Birdman ($5.50) finally rewarded patient supporters with a breakthrough Australian win after several near misses.
From barrier one, Kerrin McEvoy gave the five-year-old a faultless run behind the pace before easing off the rail to reel in early leader Full Count Felicia. He then dug deep late to hold off a fast-finishing Adelaide River ($19) by a nose, with stablemate Etna Rosso ($51) a distant third almost four lengths away.
It took Birdman nine local starts to break through, but Waller said the long-term plan had always been about working him towards major staying targets.
“It is (overdue) from a punter’s perspective. From our perspective he’s just steadily been working towards something. He needed to start doing it,” Waller said. “His fresh up runs were good. He got to a more suitable distance today, had a lovely draw, a nice run in transit and a good confident ride. I’ll have a talk to (connections)… logically, he’s heading the right way towards Cups, that’s what he was bought for a year out.”
McEvoy suggested the import would be even stronger on softer ground. “Ideally I think a little bit more juice in the ground suits him better as well,” he said. “He floated when he got there so he thought his job was done. Luckily he rallied when he saw the other horse coming. If he can stay a bit further the Metropolitan is going to be right up his alley.”
Bookmakers reacted swiftly, installing Birdman as $4 favourite for the Metropolitan at Randwick on October 4, while he also sits at $11 for the Caulfield Cup and $26 for the Melbourne Cup.