Leading Perth trainer Adam Durrant made a triumphant return to racing at Belmont on Wednesday as three-year-old colt Miracle Man won impressively on debut.
Durrant had spent the previous 12 months on a break from the rigours of horse training after winning six Perth trainers' premierships, a Railway Stakes and two Perth Cups.
While Durrant travelled around Asia and the South Island of New Zealand, his father Geoff and foreman Jason Miller ran the show, preparing 90 winners last season.
But at the first meeting of the new season on Wednesday, Miracle Man ($3 fav) gave Durrant a perfect start to the next chapter of his career.
The son of Viscount was lifted by champion jockey William Pike to win the Amelia Park Handicap (1300m) by a short neck.
The stable's other runner at the meeting, Sense Of Power ($1.50 fav), finished runner-up in the D'Orsogna Handicap (1400m).
Durrant told TAB Radio that he still has "unfinished business" in racing, particularly in Melbourne where he has fallen short of spring carnival glory with gallopers such as Kia Ora Koutou and Mr Moet.
"I'd like to take a horse to Melbourne and win a good race because we went pretty close a couple of times. That's definitely something we can look towards," he said.
"I guess a bit of time away does everyone good. You learn your strengths and weaknesses when you're away from what you enjoy doing and learn to appreciate what you've got a little bit more.
Meanwhile, Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) has announced that prizemoney for Saturday races will be boosted by $10,000 from February next year.
