Trainer Robert Heathcote got the perfect birthday present when one of his most frustrating horses Kubis broke through for an overdue metropolitan win at Doomben.

Heathcote, who turned 59 on Saturday, has always had a big opinion of Kubis who has had a lot of bad luck during his career.

"He is a horse who can't really break 35 seconds for his last 600 metres but if he is allowed to roll along in front he can be hard to run down," Heathcote said.

"He showed today he can run a strong middle distance when able to dictate and I think there will be more wins in store for him."

Rated perfectly in front by jockey Dale Smith, Kubis ($5.50) scored by 1-3/4 lengths to Exoteric ($5) in the Bentley's Chartered Accountants Handicap (2000m).

Heathcote said Kubis should have a better record than four wins from 31 starts.

"He ran five or six seconds as a three-year-old behind some really good horses so he has always had the ability," Heathcote said.