Playwright has ended one of the most infamous winning droughts in Australian racing by taking out the $100,000 Byron Moore Handicap (2000m) at Flemington today.

Rated perfectly in front by Craig Williams, Playwright ($3.70,$4,$3.90) proved too hard to catch for Sadalbari ($2.50,$2.90) winning by a half a length with Awimoweh ($4.80,$5) fighting on for third a long neck away.

The win was the first for Playwright since February 2008 where he saluted at Group 3 level and looked certain for a bright future.

Trainer Steve Richards was the most relieved person on the course and admitted it was an unexpected wait.

"If you told me after he won that race almost two years ago that he wouldn't win another race until now I would've said I will take any amount of money he would

"We always thought he would run 2000m but every preparation we aimed him at something different."

"This preparation we set him for the 2000m journey and it worked,"

"It is a big relief for me and the stable," said Richards.

"He really is a lovely horse and everybody's favourite and to come out and win a hundred thousand dollar race at Flemington is great."

"Steve didn't tie me down to instructions and I was able to get a lovely soft lead in front," said Williams.

Williams praised the training effort of Williams and the fortitude of Playwright.

"Steve has trained him a bit different and has done a really good job with the horse," he said.

"I didn't do a lot on him and expected him to sprint a little better, so I changed hands with the whip to get his concentration back and to his credit he fought the challenges off well."

Playwright has now won the four times for almost half a million in prizemoney, testimony to Richards placement of the five-year-old gelding.

Photos by Quentin Lang

© Cyberhorse 2010 Grayson White Published 01/01/10