Kyneton trainer Danny Curran had his first Saturday metropolitan success when Niptious was brilliantly rated in front by Craig Newitt to take out the Banjo Paterson Series Heat at Moonee Valley.Curran had been aiming the six-year-old Rokosz gelding for Sunday's $100,000 Sportsbet.com.au CRV Community Cup (2000m) at Ballarat.But when he realised Niptious wouldn't get a start he accepted with him in Saturday's $70,000 Moonee Valley event over 2500m.Niptious ($18) was clearly headed by Black And Be

Kyneton trainer Danny Curran had his first Saturday metropolitan success when Niptious was brilliantly rated in front by Craig Newitt to take out the Banjo Paterson Series Heat at Moonee Valley.

Curran had been aiming the six-year-old Rokosz gelding for Sunday's $100,000 Sportsbet.com.au CRV Community Cup (2000m) at Ballarat.

But when he realised Niptious wouldn't get a start he accepted with him in Saturday's $70,000 Moonee Valley event over 2500m.

Niptious ($18) was clearly headed by Black And Bent ($2.10 fav) on the home turn and the last-start 12-length Australian Hurdle winner looked set to record his seventh straight win.

But Niptious kicked back and gained the photo-finish verdict by a short half-head with Oak Heart ($2.90) 1-1/4 lengths away third.

Niptious has now earned a start in next Saturday's $150,00 Banjo Paterson Series Final (2500m) at Flemington.

"He's a trier," said Curran who was marketing manager with Racing Victoria Limited before leaving to take on the tough caper of training racehorses.

"Since we've tried him as a stayer he hasn't put a foot wrong and he's never missed a cheque except for the Kyneton Cup.

"I must admit I didn't think it was wet enough for him today," he added, referring to the slow (6) going.

Curran said he got the gelding from trainer Matthew Hyland after he'd had four unplaced starts and he has gone on to have 77 career starts for six wins and 13 placings.

"He's had about 70 educational runs as a sprinter," Curran quipped.

"He's been a good honest horse but I didn't think he was a stayer earlier on because he wouldn't settle."

Curran, who has just four horses in work, had previously won in town with Sports Circuit at Flemington in December 1997 while Saayeb won for him at a metropolitan meeting at Ballarat in November 2005.

Curran prepared Sports Circuit when that mare was runner-up, beaten a short half-head, by Palos Verdes, the dam of Cox Plate winner El Segundo, in the 1998 VRC Bagot Handicap.

"It's been a long time between drinks, but it feels good now," he said.