Morvada wins John Dillon Stakes, Listed, $140,000 at Caulfield, 1400m.
The Peter Jolly-trained gelding Morvada continues to race in good form, following two wins at Morphettville with a close second over 1400m at Flemington on New Year's Day with a good win in this Listed race.
He began well and soon crossed to settle outside the leader and favourite (Yulong January).
He was under pressure on straightening but soon came back to challenge at the 200m, getting the upper hand shortly afterwards and then drawing clear to win well, his seventh win and his second at stakes level in 35 starts.
Yulong January, who was chasing his fifth successive victory, went to the front as anticipated, travelled well and was looking good when he got a break on turning for home.
But he found the winner, whom he conceded 3kg, too strong before holding on well for second.
The top weight Streets Of Avalon was handily placed and was fourth, between runners, nearing the home turn.
He was under riding shortly afterwards and responded well under his 59.5kg, battling on well for third in a promising first-up effort with Guizot running on nicely from sixth at the home turn for (3.2 lengths) fourth.
