First to salute was the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Lonhro colt Montreal, who produced a good tough effort to win the 1100 metre maiden by half a length.
He went forward from the jump for Tim Clark, but couldn't cross so had to sit wide and then was just too strong in the run home indicating a better grade should be within his scope.
A homebred for Evergreen Rich, Montreal is a brother to Group II placed Twirl and half-brother to Group II placed Emotional Circus being the fifth winner from stakes-placed Cirque du Soleil, a full sister to champion sire Fastnet Rock.
Next to emerge was Fastnet Rock filly Jolie's Pearl, who scored a tenacious
half head win for the Peter and Paul Snowden stable in the 1300 metre maiden. She carries the colours of renowned West Australian owner/breeder Bob Peters, who owns the filly in partnership with Coolmore.
She was an $850,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Coolmore draft and is the third winner for Singapore Horse of the Year, Jolie's Shinju (Jpn).
Rounding out a trio of interesting debut winners was the Godolphin Street Cry (IRE) colt Pleased, who scored by a length as favourite in the 1300 metre maiden running slightly quicker time than Jolie's Pearl.
The John O'Shea trained colt is the fifth winner for Lajoie, a full sister to Group I winner and champion sire Thorn Park.
Lajoie was on-sold by Darley at the 2015 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $41,000 and her current yearling, a colt by Epaulette, will be offered at Magic Millions as Lot 987.
