The win of first starter Bring Me The Maid in the Listed $120,000 Sports 1000 (1000m) at Flemington today will lift the spirits of Australian racing icon and former champion jockey Roy Higgins.

Bring Me The Maid (blue and white silks) wins the Listed Sports 1000 at Flemington. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia

Higgins shares in the ownership of Bring Me The Maid and trainer Peter Moody said that the legendary jockey was not feeling the best of health at the moment.

“Great result. And our old mate Roy Higgins, not in the best of condition at the moment. I don’t know if we would want to back Roy today but I’m sure he will be sitting up there with a smile on his face and wishing us all the best from home,” Moody said.

“He and Wylie (Wylie Dalzeil, part owner) have been tremendous supporters of the stable the last few years and it’s great to get a stakes winner for the boys and makes her a valuable little filly.”

Moody said that the Sebring filly had always shown plenty of ability and pointed out that she did run second to Flemington winner and Magic Millions 2yo Classic runner up Oakleigh Girl in a barrier trial at Cranbourne back in October.

“She has always shown nice ability at home. She trialled good at Caulfield this time around and going back to her previous prep she trialled very well with Oakleigh Girl who probably would have started a short priced favourite in that,” Moody said.

Winning rider Chad Schofield had Bring Me The Maid settled in the second half of the pack as the field made its way down the centre of the Flemington striaght and she made her run with Husson Eagle and More Radiant with those three fillies over hauling the leader and favourite Eloping ($2.80) to cross the line together.

Bring Me The Maid ($10) was able to stick her nose out right on the line to get the judge’s decision over Husson Eagle ($13) with More Radiant ($3.50) grabbing third sport an extra nose away while Eloping faded to finish fourth.