A horse from the Red Centre of Australia has added to a successful campaign in Melbourne and brought up a winning treble for apprentice Jye McNeil at Moonee Valley.
The Alice Springs-trained Sirbible ($9) made it two wins and a stakes placing from his three Melbourne starts this summer in Saturday's William Hill Handicap (1200m).
Sirbible, who won at Moonee Valley night meeting on December 4 and was third in last Saturday's Listed Christmas Stakes, led and gave his rivals no chance as he raced to a 3-1/4 length win over Judges.
The victory was no surprise to trainer Russell Bell.
"I thought if he got to the front, the way he was feeling through the week after last Saturday at Caulfield, and if he got them off the bridle I didn't think they could beat him," Bell said.
Bell was formerly based at Seymour before moving to Alice Springs after a visit to the Cup carnival five years ago.
He and Sirbible have been based at Kyneton for the sprinter's campaign.
"He's just proved to me even more that he's a top horse," Bell said.
"When he matures this horse, he's going to be something to be reckoned with."
The win was the third on a successful day for 21-year-old McNeil who earlier won aboard Siegestor and Young Nicola.
"Coming here today I thought my rides were OK but I didn't think I'd go home with three winners," McNeil said.