STANZOUT finally had the breaks go his way at Flemington when he survived a protest to win the Group II Gilgai Stakes at Flemington.

Damien Oliver, who rode runner-up Shadoways in the 1200m race, fired in an objection, claiming interference near the 100-metres mark that he claimed cost him ¾ length.

Stanzout has become a wonderful money spinner with his Gilgai triumph doubling his earnings to $300,000 from a record of 6 wins and 3 placings from 15 starts.

Melbourne trainer Colin Davies, with a dozen horses in training at outer southeastern Cranbourne, said sprinter Stanzout's form has tapered since winning a Group II race at Flemington last October and Davies said yesterday it coincided with the EI vaccinations.

Stanzout Recovers from Illness and Resumes on Saturday

The past couple of months have been a test for Cranbourne trainer Colin Davies and his smart horse, Stanzout but hopefully now the horse is back to produce his best again. Davies told Sky Channel reporter, Andrew Bensley that Stanzout had suffered a breakdown to his immune system after receiving a shot against Equine Influenza.

WHILE all the city slickers headed to Sydney, Cranbourne's Colin Davies slipped into Caulfield yesterday with smart galloper Stanzout.

Stanzout won his fifth race from only seven starts in the Gippsland Sprint Final -- and earned himself consideration for the Victoria Handicap at Caulfield at Easter and possibly Queensland's famous Stradbroke Handicap.

If he succeeds, Davies will be rewarded for his patience. He bred the 4-y-o gelding but endured a horror start to his career when the gelding was spooked by wind and finished last of eight on debut.

Promising sprinter Stanzout passed his first metropolitan test and earned a Victoria Handicap start when he proved too speedy for his rivals in the Gippsland Sprint Final at Caulfield yesterday.

The grey by unfashionable stallion Gallo Di Ferro has now won five of his seven starts for his breeder and trainer Colin Davies.

Cranbourne-based Davies bred the 4-year-old gelding out of his Mentat Duke mare Stanza Grey.

SHADOW gave punters an early jolt yesterday, breaking a 27-run dry-track drought in the Coffex Cup (1400m). Starting at $51, Shadow led all the way before holding off the fast-closing Zilzie ($6.50).

It was Shadow's first win on a dry track in 28 attempts.

Trained at Cranbourne by Colin Davies brought up his ninth win from 66 starts in the Coffex Cup at Caulfield this afternoon.

TOTAL LIBERTY READY TO DELIVER

By Mark Ryan

MELBOURNE, Nov 27 AAP - Trainer Colin Davies believes he has another smart horse on his hands in three-year-old filly Total Liberty who will run in Saturday's Elvis "Ricky" Thurgood 50th Birthday Plate at Moonee Valley.

Davies, who prepares a small team of half a dozen horses at Cranbourne, experienced racing at the elite level with talented sprinter Stanzout who was three-times Group One-placed last season and gave the trainer his biggest win in the Group Two 2007 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.

Mr Machello the striking son of Tuscanos, the best performed 2 year old son of Encosta de lago to stand at stud in Australia ran right up to Colins' expectations when he put in yet another fine effort to finish 3rd at Benella on Sunday 5th October. Racing from a wide barrier Mr Machello began very well and soon crossed the field to take the lead and set the pace. Coming to the turn Mr Machello had dropped back slightly but as soon as they straightened he began to make steady ground all the way to the post for a very creditable placing. All things lean towards Mr Machello paying his way this campaign. Again dont let this fellow get under your guard.