Seven-year-old gelding Stanzout won his first race since October 2007 after winning the $80,000 GBG Concrete & Construction Sale Quality (1200m) at Sale on Sunday.

With Danny Brereton in the saddle, the Colin Davies-trained galloper raced in a midfield position before hooking wide shortly after straightening to be the widest runner in the straight.

With a strong finishing burst down the outside, Stanzout ranged up to Miss Matari with a furlong remaining and won comfortably on the line much to the delight of connections.

Held on a Slow (7) circuit, Stanzout ($7) defeated Miss Matari ($5) by three quarters of a length with Zedi Knight ($3.70 fav) a further three and a quarter lengths away in third.

The win was a reward for persistence for Davies who was clearly elated post-race.

“I tell you what, there have been some big headaches with this horse over the last 12 months and to get him back today to win,” Davies said.

“When the wet track came I was worried because he’s never won on worse than dead.

“But I’m just glad to see him back, I’m really excited because it’s hard to find horses that can gallop.

“He has had his problems, you could write a book on them but to win today it’s just awesome,” he added.

Upon dismounting, Brereton suggested Stanzout still had a lot to offer for the future.

“He gave me that feel,” Brereton said before adding “He’s still got a few nice races in him.”

“He was six lengths off them at one stage and next thing he was on top of them however I think I got there far too soon on him because he was starting to have a look around and stargaze the last bit.”

Prior to Sunday, Stanzout’s last victory came in the 2007 Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington with Nash Rawiller in the saddle.

That win was his only success in stakes company although he was placed on another three occasions.

Stanzout finished a distant third in the Group 1 2007 The Age Classic (1200m) behind Miss Andretti and Gold Edition at Flemington before resuming in the autumn and finishing third behind Apache Cat in the Group 1 2008 Lighting Stakes (1000m) at the same venue.

The badly-faced Apache Cat was his nemesis again a few weeks later in the 2008 Group 1 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.

With seven wins and seven placings from 31 starts, Stanzout has won $522,082 in prizemoney.

Meanwhile, champion jumper of last season Pentiffic won his third race on the flat on Sunday after winning a heat of the Tour of Victoria Distance Series.

With stablemate Bullecourt setting a genuine tempo in the lead, rider of Pentiffic, Craig Newitt, masterfully found an opening in the field to grind away and win the 0-62 Handicap over 2200m by two lengths ahead of Nanbrooke Nic.

Pentiffic will be heading to Japan later in the year to contest the Nakayama Grand Jump (4250m) after winning the Hiskens Steeplechase, Crisp Steeple and Grand National Steeplechase last season.

Pictures: Sportpix & Fiona Tomlin