Seven-year-old gelding Billum has charged home from the back of the field to claim his maiden city in the Mt St Michael’s College Handicap (1600m) at Eagle Farm.

Billum had performed consistently for Steven O’Dea Racing since joining the team last year but his rearward racing style left him unlucky in quite a few of his races before his Eagle Farm victory.

The son of Brahms got back as usual but the pace was solid throughout the $45,000 event, giving Billum a chance to make ground from the 600 metres.

International jockey Jeff Lloyd saved plenty of ground rounding the home turn, sticking to the inside in a bid to get Billum within striking distance of the leaders as quickly as possible.

The saved ground left Billum with plenty in the tank when Lloyd asked him for his best effort early in the straight.

Billum responded to Lloyd’s urgings to reel in the leaders before getting his head down at the right time to win by a short half head over Damn Good Idea at the generous odds of $26.

The victory was Billum’s sixth from 45 starts but his fifth for the stable.

The $28,800 winner’s cheque took his prizemoney tally within sight of the $100,000 mark.

© MiStable 2012