Irish import Ebediyin has appreciated the forgiving Moonee Valley surface to break through for his maiden Australian victory.
Ebediyin came to Australia having competed in some Ireland’s best races and was expected to be hard to beat at his Australian debut in July.
The race didn’t go to plan with Ebediyin finishing a well beaten seventh, but it turned out perfectly in Saturday’s Mimatch Handicap.
Ridden by Damian Lane, Ebediyin ($9) scored a three-quarter length win from Cosmic Lights ($5.50) with Emoji ($11) a half length away third.
Stewards reported after Flemington that Ebediyin was showing signs of mucus, but trainer Darren Weir put down the poor performance to the firm track conditions.
“He travelled into the race terrific and looked like he was going to run well but when he straightened, he started to hang and shorten stride,” Weir said.
“I’m not saying the track was too hard, it was just too hard for him.
“We specifically targeted this race for the surface because you get a bit of give.”
Weir said patience was required with imported gallopers.
He said he finds most don’t like a firm tracks but can eventually get used to them.
“You just need an owner that is very patient and Yu Long (the owners of Ebediyin) are patient,” Weir said.
