Sebastian Murphy landed his first metropolitan winner in more than 18 months when he got the Darren Weir-trained Shiny And New home in a tight finish to the Chaise Plate at Sandown.Murphy, who was apprenticed to Weir at Ballarat, was riding on the crest of a wave when he landed his first Group One victory aboard Mr Baritone in the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm in June 2008.Ranked as Australia's leading apprentice at the time, Murphy was suspended for careless riding the day he won on Afterbu

Sebastian Murphy landed his first metropolitan winner in more than 18 months when he got the Darren Weir-trained Shiny And New home in a tight finish to the Chaise Plate at Sandown.

Murphy, who was apprenticed to Weir at Ballarat, was riding on the crest of a wave when he landed his first Group One victory aboard Mr Baritone in the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm in June 2008.

Ranked as Australia's leading apprentice at the time, Murphy was suspended for careless riding the day he won on Afterburn at Caulfield in August 2008.

But while serving the suspension he suffered from exhaustion and took an extended break through what he called burnout.

That and a back problem and increasing weight prevented Murphy from returning to race riding for 14 months.

He returned on Caulfield Cup day at a country meeting last October and has ridden 28 winners since, but because he can rarely ride at below 57kg his opportunities have been very restricted in the city.

"I've only had five or six rides in town since I've been back," Murphy said.

"I'm not getting many offers to ride in town because it's as competitive as it's ever been, being off the scene for so long and being restricted with the weight I can ride.

"I'd like to ride more in Melbourne but the rides aren't there at the moment.

"Hopefully in 12 months or two years time when I've really got my eye in and my body is stronger and I can consistently ride at 55kg I'll be able to work my way back in.

"My back is still an issue. I have to get regular treatment about once a month to keep on top of it."

Murphy was at his brilliant best on Shiny And New ($3.40 fav), allowing the Foreplay filly to stride along in front over the 1000m trip and then holding her together for the final 100m.

Although headed by Divine Choice ($5.50) she kicked back gamely to win by a short half-head with Cristallo ($7) the same margin away third.

"I'm lucky I've got Darren Weir because he's a good trainer around the country areas," Murphy said.

Shiny And New, bred by the owners Ed and Robyn Shakespeare, remains unbeaten in two starts having won over 900m on debut in a two-year-old maiden at Bendigo last month.