Perfect countdown completed

PUNTERS missed what appeared an obvious countdown as Tic Tic completed his maiden victory in a New South Wales Breeders' Blue heat at Club Menangle last Monday.

Third in Bathurst upon debut, Tic Tic was then second in Dubbo before proving too good at his following outing.

Despite his name and countdown orientated form, Tic Tic paid $61 on the Tote, with trainer Wendy Turnbull shocked by the two-year-old's odds.

"He certainly built his way up to the win," Turnbull said. "I expected a good run from him, that he would finish in the top four, so I was surprised he paid so much.

"His runs have been good and he was unlucky not to win in Dubbo."

With Jason Turnbull in the cart, Tic Tic was settled three-back along the pegs from barrier three as Captain Kostecki led from five.

Gaining a saloon passage along the home straight, the son of For A Reason sprinted to a metre-and-a-half win from Facet Prince.

Bandleader was seven metres away third as the winner covered the mile in 1:53.6.

"A lot of work has been put into him and it is great to see him performing so well," Turnbull said. "He's still got a lot of learning to do and I think we will see a much better horse with another 12 months under his belt.

"It is going to be a lot harder in the Final, but he has pulled up well from the heat and now we'll hope for a good draw."