Punters were in disarray as to what to make favourite when betting opened in the Rod Johnson Handicap at Flemington.

Finally, they pulled the right rein when settling on Word of Mouth, who just got up in the last stride to defeat Leventi after a nail biting finish.

Leon Corstens is in no hurry to go much further with the gelding at this stage, believing he will be a much better horse in the autumn.

The gelding settled well off the pace, at one stage he was nearer last than first, but gradually began to make ground from the top of the straight.

Leventi had got away from the main body of the field by the clock tower, and looked all over a winner until Word of Mouth appeared on the scene, getting up in the very last stride to snatch a well earned win.

Word Of Mouth was purchased for $150,000 at the Premier Sales by successful syndicator, Brad Spicer, to the delight of a happy group of shareholders.

The gelding is by Not A Single Doubt, a sire better known for the sprinting stock he has sired, while his maternal grand sire, Hennessy, was of a similar mould.

Word Of Mouth syndicated by Brad Spicer