Lightly raced Orient Line broke through for his first city win when he recorded an impressive performance in winning the Saintly Handicap at Flemington.

He has now won three races, two at the provincials and one at headquarters, he has not been pressured at any stage, he is doing everything on raw natural ability.

When the favourite, Profit Share, drifted out a couple of points in betting, he and Maastricht came in a couple of points, as a result he started second favourite.

Nick Hall gave the gelding a great ride, he virtually never moved on the horse until halfway up the straight, was never in doubt after that, he ran home with a good head of steam.

Orient Line with Nick Hall up

Orient Line is prepared by John Moloney, he had no hesitation in declaring the gelding has a lot of potential, and can only get better with additional time.

“I think he is a nice horse and is going to develop, he will have another run in this preparation, we will have another look at him and plan from there, he was better than his half brother and didn’t cost as much,” said John Moloney.

Orient Line is by Show A Heart, almost an institution in Queensland and great favourite, he has sired 428 winners from 647 foals to race, 21 Stakes winners with just short of $37 million in progeny earnings.

Now in his 18^th year he won the Caulfield Guineas, Toorak Handicap, Stradbroke Handicap and T S Smith Classic, all at Group 1 level.

He is a great exponent of the all Australian thoroughbred, as he is four removes from imported blood on his sire line, which would never have been entertained in previous eras.

A good result for John Moloney, Ms Sampson and Nick Hall