At the corresponding meeting 12 months ago, trainer Enver Jusufovic left Moonee Valley scratching his head.
Philosopher had just had his first start for Jusufovic after a career with Anthony and Sam Freedman which included a debut two-year-old win at Caulfield.
While Philosopher contested Melbourne’s better two-year-old races, he failed to live up to his early promise and was sold to clients of Jusufovic who have seen the now gelding complete a winning hat-trick with his win in the PJA Accountants & Business Advisors Handicap (1000m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Sent out the $3.30 betting site favourite under Carleen Hefel, Philosopher outsped his rivals to score a 1-¾ length win from Wolflands ($19) with Twin Perfection ($3.90) a further 1-¼ lengths away third.
Philosopher joined Jusufovic’s stable after a change of ownership when the then three-year-old finished last in a five-horse field at Morphettville in September last year.
Having his first start for Jusufovic on Christmas Eve last year, Philospher led before weakening in the run home, finishing sixth.
It was decided to give Philosopher an extended break and undergo a gelding operation, while there was plenty of work behind the scenes that has enabled the gelding to conserve his energy, leading to wins at Mornington and Cranbourne prior to Saturday’s victory.
“He’s a different horse this time in,” Jusufovic said.
“It’s a real credit to the owners. We had a plan, we spelled the horse for quite a while, gelded him.
“He was worked up Benalla way for a while before he came into my stable.
“He’s starting to finish off his races now, so who knows, he might go well down the Flemington straight, although I dare not try that at this stage.”
Jusufovic may be loath to dream big at this stage, but Philospher did show an explosive turn of foot when Twin Perfection looked like peeling off his back on turning for and over-running him.
The trainer said Philosopher had had a busy month, three starts in 22 days, and is mindful of not overtaxing the gelding too much.
“I’ll have a think about him. See how he pulls up and have a discussion with the owners,” Jusufovic said.
