Chris Waller’s import Birdman finally delivered for punters, claiming his first Australian victory after nine attempts.
Sent out at $5.50, the five-year-old enjoyed an ideal run from barrier one under Kerrin McEvoy, peeling off the fence to reel in tearaway leader Full Count Felicia before holding off a late surge from Adelaide River ($19). Stablemate Etna Rosso ($51) was a distant third.
Waller said the breakthrough was overdue but well-timed.
“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.
The champion trainer hinted at a Cups campaign, while McEvoy believes bigger races beckon.
“Ideally I think a little bit more juice in the ground suits him better as well,” McEvoy said. “If he can stay a bit further the Metropolitan is going to be right up his alley.”
Birdman is now $4 favourite for the Metropolitan, $11 for the Caulfield Cup and $26 for the Melbourne Cup.