Pure Magic! Houdini Boy Wins Zoom Top Thriller

HOUDINI Boy was at his crowd pleasing best to win a thrilling Group 1 Zoom Top (725m) at The Meadows on Saturday night.

But his legion of followers had to wait with bated breath at the conclusion of the group 1 invitation as the judge mulled over a photo which saw the son of Zambora Brockie land the prize by a half-a-head over a fast finishing Stanley Road.

For trainer Kel Greenough it was his second Zoom Top triumph having previously tasted victory with former star stayer Miss Grub back in 2007.

And the champion trainer's performance on Saturday night can't be understated either, guiding Houdini Boy to his second group 1 victory with more than three weeks between runs over the grueling 725 metres.

Adding even further merit to the win was the fact it was just his second race start since winning the Group 1 Sale Cup in tremendous fashion on Boxing Day.

Now a winner at 14 of his 26 starts, Saturday night's 42.28 Zoom Top success elevated Houdini Boy's earnings past a quarter of a million dollars for Greenough and owner Mark Ruff,.

The $75,000-to-the-winner invitation was set up for a fantastic finish after Western Australian stayer Zack Monelli set a breakneck speed out in front, reeling off record sectionals for trainer Dave Hobby.

Lurking ominously down the back straight in third was Houdini Boy while Stanley Road and Sunset Bourbski could be seen getting into their work back in the pack also.

On the home turn it looked as if Houdini Boy would make light work of the final stages and run away with the prize before Stanley Road jumped out of the ground late to almost snatch victory.

Another stride he would have.

The performance of the runner-up for News South Wales trainer Mark Gatt deserves plenty of plaudits while Sunset Bourbski's fast finishing third was full of merit also.

Houdini Boy now charges into next week's Group 1 Fanta Bale Super Stayers heats as the worthy pre-post favourite where Greenough is no stranger to success either.

In 2007 the Pearcedale mentor won the race with Just Friends while in 2011 Bobby Boucheau landed the event for Greenough's daughter Angela.