Master Matt, right, in front where it matters© Photo Healy Racing
Master Matt gunned down Sunset Nova to win the Play The Tote Superfecta On Every Race Median Auction Race at Sligo, on his first start for Matthew Smith.
Sunset Nova soon led in this sprint while Master Matt tracked him in fourth. The latter hugged the rail and improved into second passing the two pole.
Sunset Nova went for home entering the straight as jockey Andrew Slattery had a look over his shoulder coming to the final furlong.
Master Matt hadn't been burned off, though, and was ridden inside the final furlong in pursuit of the leader.
He made relentless headway for Shane Crosse and got up close home to score by half a length.
The first-time gelding didn't go unbacked at 5/1. Runner-up Sunset Nova was a 9/4 joint favourite.
Matthew Smith said: “He was working well at home but I wasn’t one hundred per cent sure what to expect. I bought him privately and he’d good form as a two-year-old.
“He’d one run this year and there was obviously something amiss looking at his two-year-old form.
"He’s a fine big horse who travels well but you don’t want to be hitting the front too soon on him.”
Master Matt had previously raced in Britain for Denis Quinn.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
