In a move not often seen in racing, trainer Kevin Myers decided to back up the promising five-year-old Mahanadi on Saturday at Trentham, just two days after running fourth fresh up at Waverley.

Myers elected to run Mahanadi (Tigerhill x Bargibant, by Sir Tristram) in the $25,000 It’s a Dundeel Premier (2200m) at the Trentham meeting and the Pencarrow bred duly delivered, producing a classy performance under jockey Michael Dee.

Slowly away, Mahanadi settled at the rear of the field and despite making some ground around the turn he was still near last at the top of the straight. A horse that has shown the ability to quicken noticeably, Mahanadi produced his turn-of-foot to great effect, running down the whole field and racing to a comfortable 2.3 length victory going away.

A smart type who has been raced sparingly, Mahanadi has only had eight starts and Saturday’s win was the fourth of his career. He’s a horse that enjoys racing over a trip and his only start at a distance greater than 2000 metres that he has lost was last Thursday at Waverley where he resumed fresh up after almost a year away from the races.

Bred by Peter and Philip Vela, Mahanadi is a half-brother to the Group 2 winner Free at Last and stakes placed Kingdom Reigns. He is from the Sir Tristram mare Bargibant who is from the family of the Group 1 winner Fair Sir and Group winners Sir Pentire and Bashful.