It took just two races at Caulfield on Saturday for trainer Darren Weir to equal last season's record for Melbourne winners. But the result was not quite what punters had been banking on.

Ensuring there was no doubt about him equalling his own record, Weir trained the first two horses home in the 1600-metre Keno Classic Handicap with the win of Haripour taking him to 137 Melbourne winners with still one full month of the season remaining.

Weir saddled two imported gallopers in the race with one of them – Mantastic jumping a $4.20 chance after an eye-catching Australian debut at Flemington three weeks ago while Haripour attracted a little attention coming in from $26 to $19 after a moderate Australian debut at Sandown a week later.

Mantastic looked certain to win as he moved up at the 100 metre mark to eyeball his stablemate, but Haripour refused to give in and prevailed in a tight photo by a nose.

The win of Haripour was a fortunate one for jockey Jye McNeil but a bad blow for fellow rider Craig Newitt, who was forced to forgo the mount after being held up in traffic on route to the course.

With early wins on Saturday at Caulfield (Haripour), Casterton (Bit Of A Lad) and Morphettville (Euroman), Weir is just five wins shy of his own record for total wins for the season, which stands at 448.

Mantastic (IRE) and Dean Yendall (outside) and Haripour (IRE) and Jye McNeil (inside), picture Sportpix.com.au