A 1700-metre maiden at Geelong is a long way from metropolitan staying races, but the Peter Moody stable is hopeful Mr I’m A Believer will one day progress to that level, and maybe beyond, after notching his first win on Wednesday.

The imported son of Make Believe overcame greenness and a chequered passage in running to win the DMB Contracting Maiden Plate at just his second career start.

It was the Irish four-year-old’s first start since a debut second placing over 2000m at Ballarat last April and Moody’s assistant trainer Katherine Coleman said the performance justified the stable’s faith in the gelding.

“He’s a really nice horse, he’s got a lot of upside and he’s got a lot of learning to do still because he’s very raw and green,” Coleman said.

“We’ve always had a nice opinion of him, but he’s just taken a bit of time. He’s a very big horse, he’s taken a while to mature, but hopefully that patience if going to pay off now.”

An AU$66,500 buy at the 2021 Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale, Mr I’m A Believer was caught in traffic for much of the race before Linda Meech found a path back towards the inside early in the straight aboard the $2 favourite.

Kokonotsu ($6) loomed as a challenger at the 150m but Mr I’m A Believer rallied to score a gritty long-neck win with Go Woody ($8.50) 2-3/4 lengths away third.

“He’s a big baby; he’s got the body of a six-year-old and the mind of a two-year-old,” Meech said.

“But he’s a nice horse. ‘Moods’ said he’s furnished, he’s improved and he’s got a turn of foot, but at the moment he just can’t quite use it.”