Midwest left his rivals in his wake to claim the VOBIS Gold Comet (1000m) at his first outing down the Flemington straight.
The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained sprinter had trialled on the straight course as a younger horse but had not been produced under race conditions.
Sam Freedman said you always have your heart in your mouth in the final stages as the gelding looks to be coasting when in front.
“You’re always on edge the last hundred yards,” Freedman said.
“He had a really good kick there at the furlong, which he had done at Sandown as well when he ran there on the Hillside track and in Sydney, he probably was just left wanting a little bit.
“Down the straight might suit him. It was his first time down the straight, but if they leave him alone, he can get into a smooth rhythm, and you don’t have to overuse him at the start.”
