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Tough-as-nails galloper Matterhorn came back from the brink of defeat to overhaul stablemate Masthead for a gutsy win in the $95,000 Open Benchmark 67 race (1400m) on Sunday.

The two Michael Freedman-trained gallopers drew clear from the rest of the field for a “brotherly” stoush that seemed to be swinging the way of Masthead (Ivaldo Santana) at the 100m mark, but under hard riding from jockey Barend Vorster, Matterhorn, who had led from the outset, popped his head back in to reclaim the advantage and score by half-a-length.

Probably weighed down by the 5.5kg pull in weights between the two stable companions, Masthead died on his run 50m out to settle for second, while What Now (Joao Moreira), who had settled in a rearward spot in the running, stuck on well for third another three lengths away. The winning time was 1min 22.15secs for the 1400m trip on the Long Course.

The disappointments of the race were favourite Touch Of Gold and last-start winner El Padrino. From his wide alley, Touch Of Gold was snagged back by jockey Manoel Nunes to settle at the tail of the field before taking closer order from the 800m, but petered on his run to beat one home, while El Padrino (Oscar Chavez) ruined his chances by missing the start to finish unplaced.

But all honours to Freedman for his stable queue-up which was following on from his first winner Ronnie Brown earlier in the day in Race 4.

“I was just telling (assistant-trainer) James (Peters) that I can’t remember the last time Matterhorn ran a bad race,” said Freedman.

“He’s such a genuine horse and obviously the light weight helped. I may look at an Open Handicap race over 1600m on SIA Cup (Singapore Airlines International Cup) night (May 19) for him and long term, maybe a race like the EW Barker Trophy.”

Run later in the year on November 10, the Group 2 event over 1400m is a handicap race Freedman has a good affinity with, having won it twice with Any Humour in 2010 and Super Easy in 2011. He may even consider that race for Sunday’s runner-up as well.

“I was very happy with how Masthead ran so well at the 1400m. That trip is okay for him, he was just beaten by the 5.5kg pull in weights today,” said Freedman.

“He’s such a tough horse, and I’m also glad he jumped on terms today as he tends to miss the start sometimes. Santana did a good job on him, allowing him to travel up in a good position throughout.”

Though obviously delighted his two representatives had filled the first two spots, Freedman admitted such scenarios, although ideal, can put him in the spot at times.

“It can be a bit awkward as John O’Neill and Mark Pejic (Mummify Stable, owner of Masthead) are such good friends and so is Bernard Lee (Horizon Stable, owner of Matterhorn),” said Freedman. “But that’s racing.”

Vorster for one was rapt the hard work he put in to not ride Matterhorn even a pound over has paid off.

“Thanks to Michael for putting me on this horse as I really liked his chances at that weight. I just had to make sure I could ride him at 50kg and that certainly made the difference today,” said the South African lightweight jockey.

“Looking at the book before the race, we thought nothing would really go forward. I just let him roll to the front coming to the corner as I didn’t want him to get all fired up.

“That was why he still had something to give me turning for home. The other horse (Masthead) came to challenge us and put a short head in front of us, but when I asked him again, he found another length.

“He gave me a really good ride today. I rode him earlier on in his career and he still likes to put his head low when he runs. You just have to keep his head up.

“I’m really glad he won. Getting on those lightweight horses with a good chance makes it all worthwhile at times.”

Matterhorn, a five-year-old by Rock Of Gibraltar, has proven a handy moneyspinner for Horizon Stable, having scored five times and placed seven times for prizemoney in excess of $430,000.