JOURNEYMAN provided Mike de Kock with a last-minute birthday winner in the featured 1600m Xpress turf handicap at Meydan Racecourse’s domestic fixture on Saturday afternoon.

Trippi-gelding Journeyman wins in the silks of Mary Slack. (Andrew Watkins).

Ridden by Johnny Geroudis, the winner was settled in midfield but could be seen travelling strongly as the runners turned for home before being switched wide by his jockey.

The pair made relentless progress down the centre of the track, leading in the dying strides to deny Washaar.

“He ran really well here when second two weeks ago,” said Geroudis. “That was over a bit further but this 1600m probably suits him better. We were hopeful coming into the race and I was pretty confident I was going to get there in the final 100m.

“It is great to ride Mike a winner on his birthday.”