Dual Group 1 winner Philadelphia Man scored an impressive first-up victory on Friday night at Tabcorp Park Melton in the Alabar Breeders Crown Graduate Pacers Free for All.
The Emma Stewart trained son of Art Major/My Liberty Belle was too strong for his rivals, which included Inter Dominion runner-up Flaming Flutter (6.3 metres away in second).
Gavin Lang, who finished Friday night with a treble to move one win clear of Chris Alford atop the Victorian Metropolitan Drivers’ Premiership, sent Philadelphia Man forward from the mile after starting from barrier 10.
Working to the chair, Philadelphia Man eventually put leader Marty Monkhouser away at the home bend before dashing clear for an effortless triumph in a mile rate of 1:56.4 for the 2240-metre trip.
Marty Monkhouser led early from barrier two in a lead time of 45.2 seconds with a slick first quarter of 28.9secs before a second split of 30.6secs.
The third quarter was covered in 29.4secs before Philadelphia Man dashed home in 27.9secs.
Philadelphia Man is likely to be targeted at the $1.3 million Inter Dominion in Perth later this year.
Flaming Flutter and Greg Sugars sat in the breeze early before Cold Major and then Philadelphia Man took their turns in the chair respectively, shuffling him back to fifth.
In the straight Flaming Flutter hit the line hard after pushing into the clear at the corner.
Cold Major finished third for David and Josh Aiken, making a mid-race move and battling on gamely late, while Classy Western poked through for fourth after a soft run on the pegs and Lets Elope charged out wide for fifth.
>> Watch Philadelphia Man’s stunning return win at Melton
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