Trainer Steve Richards registered his first city win in more than two years when Biden Time scored at Sandown.
Richards, who prepares a small team at Flemington, had not been successful in town since Holbein took out the Listed Lord Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield in 2021.
Runners have been scarce in the city area for Richards in recent times, but he was prepared to take Biden Time to Sandown on Wednesday for the Sportsbet Fast Form Plate (1500m) in search of a bigger track.
It paid a dividend for Richards as Craig Williams guided Biden Time ($26) to a short-half-head win over Alma Rise ($17) with the $2.90 favourite The Jester’s Son a further 1-½ lengths away third.
Biden Time made his debut at Werribee last month and closed off nicely to finish third.
“He gave us a bit of a surprise at Werribee,” Richards said.
“We thought he’d run well, and he nearly got the race there and from there on he’s just improved.
“We thought we would come here and get a good look at him over a bit further and see how he goes on the big, open spaces rather than the tighter track.
“We had faith in him, and he delivered, but he’s been a work in progress.
“He’s still very raw but the future looks very good for him.”
Biden Time was a $55,000 yearling purchase and Richards said the then colt was a spitting image of his sire American Pharoah.
To get in the mood for Wednesday’s race, Richards watched old recordings of American Pharoah before going to bed on Tuesday night.
“When I looked at him, I thought he was the spitting image of his sire American Pharoah and I said ‘I’ve just got to have him’,” Richards said.
“I was surprised I got him for that. He was on $50,000, I went to $55,000, which got him, and I took him home and I’ve been very happy with him.
“I was watching tapes of American Pharoah’s trackwork and races before I went to bed last night, so something might have rubbed off.”
Richards was active at the recently concluded Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale and said he had some talent among his young team.
“We’ve got young horses in the stable that have needed developing,” Richards said.
“You just have to wait your time with a young team, but I’ve got some nice horses coming through and I bought a couple yearlings at the sale earlier in the week.”