Jockey Liam Riordan celebrated his 28th birthday in the best possible fashion by piloting Marble Nine to victory at Flemington in the Funky Farm Sprint (1100m) on Saturday.

It was a fitting moment for Riordan, who began his apprenticeship with Troy Corstens 11 years ago. Now, Marble Nine heads towards the Listed Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Flemington on July 5.

Returning to 1100m after a win over 1200m earlier this month, Marble Nine ($8) produced a strong performance, defeating $2 favourite Cleo Cat by 1-½ lengths, with Midwest ($13) filling third.

Trainer Troy Corstens praised Riordan’s work ethic and was thrilled to see him rewarded.

“Liam is one of the hardest working kids out there,” Corstens said.

“He was apprenticed to us and I’ve got a real soft spot for him. He doesn’t get a lot of opportunities, but he’s going really well at the moment.

“It’s nice to give him a birthday present for yesterday and you wouldn’t take him off now, but in fairness, Hannah (Edgley) would have stayed on had it been a claiming race.

“She had done nothing wrong, but it wasn’t and it’s hard to justify putting a claimer on.”

The Corstens stable previously won this race with The Astrologist four years ago, who then went on to claim the stakes feature two weeks later.

Despite concerns about the shorter distance, the gamble paid off.

“We were a little worried about dropping him back to 1100 metres thinking the 1200 might be better for him,” Corstens said.

“I said to the guys, it was either this or give him a trial, and I said we might as well go around for the prize money and see what we can do.”

Saturday’s win marked Marble Nine’s first in open company after previously matching strides with smart gallopers as a late three-year-old.

“He was racing against Recommendation this time last year when Recommendation was flying and the form stood up right through the spring,” Corstens said.

“But we had an interrupted spring with him.

“He’s grown up now and has done a good job.”

Punters who were on Marble Nine in the Funky Farm Sprint will be eyeing his chances in the Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series Final. You can compare odds and grab promotions across Australia’s leading betting apps now.