A copybook ride by Jim Byrne helped four-year-old Bribie live up to his promise and break his maiden status at Doomben.
Bribie was a costly failure for punters at his previous two starts, but those who took the short odds of $1.85 on Wednesday had few worries.
Byrne positioned the gelding in the box seat, in behind the leader.
On the point of the home turn a split came and Byrne darted the flashy grey through to give chase to leader Equales.
The issue was quickly put beyond doubt and Bribie had 1-3/4 lengths to spare in the Asteron Life Maiden (1200m).
Equales ($12) battled on well for second and the winner’s stablemate Samski ($3.20) made up ground for third.
“He’s a nice horse this bloke and that’s the way to ride him. He only has a short sharp sprint and he let down beautifully today,” trainer Rob Heathcote said.
Heathcote labelled the four-year-old a good horse.
The Show A Heart gelding is a brother to his smart sprinter Woorim.
Heathcote said Bribie always showed promise as a youngster but had to be sent to the paddock in October last year after sustaining a slight fracture in his off-side knee.
“I’m happy he’s finally broken through and Jimmy rode a perfect race,” Heathcote said.
“I knew he could gallop but when horses come back after injury there is always that worry.
“We’ll step him up to Saturday class now and I’m sure that he’s more than capable of being competitive in that grade.”
The win gave Byrne a winning double after he scored on the Patinack Farm three-year-old Strip Show.
Meanwhile, talented apprentice Mitchell Wood is struggling with weight issues and is deciding on his future.
Wood did not take rides on Wednesday and said if a concerted effort to reduce over the next few weeks failed, he would consider a career in the army.
AAP TURF
