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By Geoff Newling

Piper Boy made a promising debut when he finished solidly to win Monday’s $20,000 Boxing Day Races @ Ballina 3Y0 and Up Maiden (1010m) at Ballina. The three-year-old gelding son of Myboycharlie charged home to beat Gohardonhula ($11) with Hidden Storm third.

Hidden Storm ($4.60) had looked a great chance when he forged clear turning for home but the Liam Birchley-trained Piper Boy let down strongly to suggest he has plenty more wins in store. Matthew McGillivray was impressed by Piper Boy ($2.40 favourite) and believes he has a future.

“He showed okay gate speed ... balanced up really well and picked himself up,” McGillivray said. “He’s a nice horse going forward.”

Liam Birchley agreed: “He hit the line well,” Birchley said. “Hopefully there are better things in store. He’s had a bit of experience now and has a good temperament.”

Piper Boy is also a BOBS Bonus horse and that made the effort around $16,000 for connections. “Hopefully we can pick up a few more,” Liam Birchley added.

The Eagle Farm trainer almost made it a great start to the day at Ballina when Magic Mystery ($2.80) just failed to run down Matt Dunn’s Axella ($6) in the opening race. Axella, a two-year-old daughter of Stratum, led and just held on to beat Magic Mystery in the $20,000 Furnaces @ Aquis Farm 2YO Maiden (1010m).

View the full results with race replays for Ballina here