Allen rode $1.80 favourite Ancient King home in a 3200-metre hurdle, winning by five lengths from Oerter ($5.70).

Unabashed ($7.80) rounded out the place-getters.

"It was a good birthday present for Weiry," he said.

"It's good to get a winner on the board. He's not very big and the jumper were bigger today because of the heavy track.

"He jumped good. I was quite confident, he had the form on the board.

"The last mile to 1400 metres there was a good tempo. We got the perfect run and he was too good.”

Weir, who has 48 May carnival wins, said Ancient King – the 2016 Colac Cup winner – had recovered well from a tendon injury.

“He showed a bit last season and unfortunately he just got a little bit of suspensory little tear there,” he said.

“It was very minor but we just had to stop him.”

Weir said Ancient King entered the May races in top nick.

“He’s had a faultless preparation so far, very sound and he’s schooled well,” he said.

“Johnny was pretty confident coming here today.

“We got a lovely run throughout the race and jumped really well.”

The Eric Musgrove-trained Big Country lost hoop Paul Hamblin on a hurdle on the home straight on lap one.

Big Country finished the race jockeyless.