Trainer Desmond Koh landed an early double when first starter Champion Dragon took out the $65,000 Panasonic Professional Plasma Display Stakes over 1200m on Sunday.
Ridden by Benny Woodworth, Champion Dragon scored a half-length victory over Solitaire (John Powell) with Bidabull (Danny Beasley) a short head away third.
Koh completed his double in the opening two races after Chengdu Warrior, ridden by Joao Moreira, took out the $35,000 Panasonic I-Pro Smart HD Cameras Stakes over 1600m.
“It's been a little dry for a while,” joked Koh after greeting Champion Dragon back to the winner's enclosure.
In fact the double – which took Koh's season's tally to 33 – were his first winners since Arowana Dot Com scored on August 26.
Koh said he had Champion Dragon well-primed for a first-up success, giving him three trials in preparation for his debut performance.
“The owner lives overseas and flies in when the horses are racing and I wanted him well primed for his first-up race,” said Koh.
“We gave him a lot of education and he was pretty fit for the run.
“But he's still a bit green and learning what racing is all about.
“He'll get over a bit of ground but at this stage we'll just keep him to sprinting.
“I think he's got a fairly bright future.”
Champion Dragon enjoyed a good sit in third place behind the speed which was set by Darcistar (Jacky Low) and Bidabull.
Turning for home Darcistar began to weaken and Bidabull was left in front – and a sitting shot – for the opposition.
Woodworth, who had been following Bidabull, bided his time getting into the clear on the long run home as Bidabull rolled about in front of him.
Bidabull is a son of up-and-coming New Zealand stallion Darci Brahma from the More Than Ready mare La Campanella, making him a half-brother to Macau and was a NZ$135,000 purchase as a yearling.
