"I THINK I might need a stiff Scotch," non-drinker Peter Snowden joked after Pinwheel's remarkable win in the $175,000 W.J. Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm yesterday.

The Darley-owned five-year-old was caught up behind runners for much of the home straight before getting out late to win the group 3 race after being heavily backed from $3.60 in to $2.90.

"I was certainly worried," Snowden admitted. "[Rider] Damian [Browne] did the right thing early, then they dropped anchor and he was well back in the ruck.

"To be honest I, thought it was too late for him to get out and win. He [Pinwheel] is a class act.

"Didn't he find the line over the last 80 metres? It was exciting."

It was Browne's third success for the day after wins aboard Mystical Grey in the first race and Excellantes in the third.

Sweat was rolling of the New Zealand-raised jockey on dismounting. "It was a terrific effort for the horse to pick up so quickly. He's a lovely horse, real honest, genuine," Browne said of Pinwheel, a son of Lonhro.

Asked about getting clear running in time, Browne said: "You've just got to do what you've got to do.

"I was trying to follow Temple Of Boom but there just wasn't any room early on. When Metallurgical [runner-up] dashed quickly with momentum, I wasn't sure if we could pick him up in time.

"The horse did – great effort."

Pinwheel sprinted quickly and went into clear running inside the 100m to score by three-quarters of a length from Metallurgical ($7.50) with Swiss Rose ($21) half-a-length away in third.

It was Pinwheel's ninth win from 22 starts.

"He's an easy horse to train," Snowden said. "He's athletic, a good track worker and good in the stable. "The trick is picking the mark with him. He's not a genuine group 1 horse but these sort of races are perfect for him.

"It's a matter of not placing the horse out of his comfort zone."

Snowden said this year's Brisbane winter carnival had been the stable's best. "This winter, it's been terrific, the horses we've brought up here have all aimed up. It's very pleasing for everyone concerned."

Pinwheel will now be given a short let-up, with Snowden targeting group races at Caulfield in five weeks.

The John Thompson-trained Metallurgical is likely to be nominated for $130,000 Ramornie (1200m) at Grafton on July 13.

Metallurgical's jockey, Scott Galloway, thought he had the race won when the gelding surged to the lead.

When asked whether Pinwheel's acceleration had surprised him, Galloway simply shook his head in disbelief.