Despite a less-than-convincing performance during his heat and in the semi-finals, Vidler put in a monster effort in the feature race to take out the 2011 Burramine Gift in Yarrawonga on Saturday.

Vidler, of Hoppers Crossing, edged out Gavin O’Neil and Augustine Carty-Cowling in the final to claim the 60th edition of the historic race in front of a bumper crowd at J.C Lowe Oval.

After finishing second in his heat and third in his semi, Vidler admits he didn’t expect to figure in the finish after just scraping through to the decider.

“It was a bit of a surprise, I didn’t realise I was running that well,” Vidler said.

“I’m 34 turning 35 this year and was starting at the back of the field off 4? metres.

“A lot of things were against me but I just went as hard as I could.”

Vidler was so sure he wouldn’t win the race he had already deemed his day a successful one by just making the final.

“I’d already guaranteed myself $100 by making the final so it was a successful day as far as I was concerned.

“I missed out on winning a bottle of wine during the heats though which would have been good.”

Vidler recorded a time of 12.56 seconds over the 120-metre race, a time the veteran believes he has previously bettered in his three cracks at the gift.

Although his time wasn’t quite as fast as those other years, it’s clear which edition of the race is now Vidler’s favourite.

“I think we were running 12.3s in the 2007 final but I was happy with my time,” he said.

“It’d be up there.

“I’ve had three major wins in my career and this is the first one I’ve had in Victoria.

“It was the most surprising win I’ve ever had, for sure, I didn’t come here thinking I was much of a chance.

“To win the 60 edition in front of all the previous winners was a pretty good feeling.”