While Red Sun Sensation broke his maiden over 1200m at Geelong on Friday, trainer Peter Moody believes he has a Victoria Derby contender on his hands.
The race changed dramatically in the final 100 metres, with the last three on the turn fighting out the finish.
With Luke Nolen in the saddle, the gelded son of Awesome Rock defeated the Shamus Award colt Demon Award by three-quarter of a length, with Siyouni debutant Dakarai a head back in third.
Red Sun Sensation went off favourite following a close-up third over the same track and distance at his career debut in April.
"He is a nice middle distance sought of horse. I thought the 1200m might have been a bit sharp, Moody said.
"He is what I would term as a leading Derby type of horse in the very small pool we have. So, it worries me a bit that he has won over 1200m, but I'm happy to have won it.
"He has furnished and come on well (since his debut).
"Alan and Sue Olive bred this bloke in Western Australia. He went through the Magic Millions, and they retained him.
"We have given him plenty of time, and patience has been rewarded, so it is all ahead of him."
Consigned by Valiant Stud to the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Red Sun Sensation left the ring unsold when bidding halted short of his $40,000 reserve.
He comes from the second crop of Fastnet Rock's son Awesome Rock who was bred and raced by Sue and Alan Olive with a career-high victory in the 2016 Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington.
A half-brother to Listed WATC Belmont Oaks winner Chilli Is Hot (Gingerbread Man), Red Sun Sensation is the second winner from three to race from the unraced Faltaat (USA) mare Society Gal.
A sister to Group 1 HKJC Champions Mile winner Sight Winner, Society Gal is a granddaughter of Balmerino's top-class stayer Duanette's Girl, whose nine wins included the Group II AJC St Leger and was runner-up in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks and Auckland Cup.
Jason Miller Racing paid $110,000 for a brother to Red Sun Sensation when consigned by the Olive's Gold Front Thoroughbred Breeding and Racing to the 2022 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
After missing in 2020, Society Gal was covered by Awesome Rock again last spring.
