Finally, after several months, Marcus Moloney opened his Tara Raceway winning account in yesterday’s Carlin & Gazzard MG Stake over 400 metres.

And after settling a fair way back in the early stages he stormed home to run down Time After Time for a half-length win in 23.25 seconds.

Surely this was a win that warranted one of Portland trainer Robert Halliday’s questionable celebrations. You know, the one where he purchases a chocolate bar from the canteen and then hands out pieces cut with his trusty pocket knife.

Now, while no one has any issues with the canteen’s chocolate bars, there are some who prefer to give the offer a miss, questioning just where that pocket knife may have been!

As far as Marcus Moloney is concerned, Halliday said he had taken the son of Orson Allen “for a while” as a favour to a Warrnambool trainer who was looking to make room for some incoming pups.

“The idea was that the dog’s owner would then move him on. Apparently, so far he hasn’t been able to sell him or give him away.

“But, look, he can run a bit as he showed today. But his biggest problem, by and large, is the 400 metre bend start. While he’s still here I figure I now may as well try him over 512 metres.”

Meanwhile, also with a cause for celebration were Tim Richards and Tracie Price who shared the training honours on the day with three winners each. And later, Richards added another winner to his tally when Crush Your Enemy was successful at Murray Bridge.