Without a win since his importation from France last December, royally-bred gelding Pilote d'Essai (GB) showed his 16 opponents a clean pair of heels to open his Australian account as well as his stakes account in Saturday's $300,000 Listed Sportsbet.com.au Ballarat Cup (2200m).
Making a statement from his wide barrier, Regan Bayliss had no hesitation taking up the running on the son of Oasis Dream.
On a track that had been playing to on pace runners all day, Pilote d'Essai was set for an all-out drive well before the home turn.
He had a three length break turning for home and nothing offered a serious challenge. Scherzoso got closest at the finish at a safe two lengths with Manageress three-quarters of a length back in third.
"It was the first time at the trip. Today we drew the wide gate and our hand was forced to go forward, co-trainer Tom Dabernig said.
"We didn't expect him to lead but he got there quite easily.
"These imports, we've seen them right throughout spring, if they sit on the pace and get into a rhythm they can take a lot of catching.
"The track today hasn't suited horse coming from the back but it was a really authoritative win and he was powering through the line.
"I think the key to him will be 2000 metres and above, we'll probably back off him and have him for the autumn and hopefully spring next year."
Winner three times over a mile at Maisons-Laffitte, Chantilly and Saint-Cloud and a close-up fourth in a Listed race at Maisons-Laffitte when trained by Andre Fabre, Pilote d'Essai was purchased by Astute Bloodstock's Louis Le Metayer for 230,000 guineas at the 2015 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training sale.
A striking looking son of Juddmonte Farm's success story Oasis Dream, Pilote d'Essai is a half-brother to Group 1 Prix Ganay winner Planteur (Danehill Dancer).
His dam, the unraced Giant's Causeway mare Plante Rare, is a half-sister to three stakes winners from the family of Peintre Celebre,
