Trainer Robbie Laing was glad he never gave up on Rowland after the stayer completed a winning hat-trick at Sandown.Laing admitted he gave Rowland little chance of returning to racing after the horse was diagnosed with a serious breathing problem last year.Veterinary surgeon John Van Veenendaal performed throat surgery on the gelding and Rowland has gone on to win four races and be placed in another five of 13 starts since.The four-year-old won first-up in a Cranbourne 1600m maiden in December a

Trainer Robbie Laing was glad he never gave up on Rowland after the stayer completed a winning hat-trick at Sandown.

Laing admitted he gave Rowland little chance of returning to racing after the horse was diagnosed with a serious breathing problem last year.

Veterinary surgeon John Van Veenendaal performed throat surgery on the gelding and Rowland has gone on to win four races and be placed in another five of 13 starts since.

The four-year-old won first-up in a Cranbourne 1600m maiden in December and after further wins at Cranbourne and Ballarat last month, landed his first city win in Wednesday's Hayai Handicap (2400m) on a heavy track.

Apprentice Jake Noonan made it three wins from as many rides on Rowland ($2.40 fav) who settled fourth in the field of five before scoring a 1-1/4 length win over Niptious ($7) with Titch ($2.50) seven lengths away third.

Rowland is by Lonhro out of the Sadler's Wells mare Paris In The Fall, a three-quarter sister to Irish and French Derby winner Old Vic.

Laing bought the horse at the Sydney Easter Yearling Sale for $60,000 after he had been passed in for $50,000.

"He was a gangly, skinny bugger," Laing said.

"He's always been a good galloper but unluckily he went in the wind a bit over 12 months ago and I didn't think he'd come back."

Laing said Rowland was too lightly-framed to make a jumper and would be stepped up in class in the Luther's Luck Handicap (2400m), which is heat four of the 2010 Banjo Paterson Series, at Sandown on Saturday week.

His performance in that race would determine whether he goes on to the Banjo Paterson Series Final (2500m) at Flemington on July 10.

Noonan, son of Mornington trainer Tony Noonan, landed only the second metropolitan win of his career aboard Rowland.

"He's been a good, honest horse for Robbie and I," Noonan said.

"He's definitely a swimmer and he's a horse who can get away with a bit of a sit and sprint and he showed that today."