In five previous starts, First Among Equals looked to testing Darren Weir's remarkable record of improving his Western Australia recruits.
Back home in Perth the 6yo son of Exceed and Excel had won 11 of 28 starts including four Listed stakes races.
But Weir again rose to the occasion. With Michael Dee in the saddle, First Among Equals finished strongly to score by a length from Divine Quality (Sepoy) with Knowable (Hinchinbrook) a half-neck away third in Saturday's Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington. (photo Grant Courtney)
With Weir in Adelaide for Saturday's Goodwood meeting, Jarrod McLean was at Flemington to represent the stable.
"Just another great West Australian to join our stable," McLean enthused.
"The race mapped well for him and it was a good ride from Mick.
"Ridden in the second half of the field, chiming in late, that's usually best for him."
"Weiry will probably progress through this winter sprint series and end up here in the final in July," McLean said.
"He's a nice addition and we'll be looking to him in the spring but I certainly think we're training him a bit better this prep -he's a promising horse."
Sold to Cape Falls Thoroughbreds for $85,000 at the 2012 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale, First Among Equals advances his record to 12 4 4 from 34 starts with earnings of $751,630.
He is the best of five winners from six to race out of the Volksraad mare Pride Of The Class who was a Group III winner in New Zealand.
Pride Of The Class was sold for $60,000 at the 2017 Inglis Australian Easter Broodmare Sale when in foal to Deep Field but died five months later.
First Among Equals is one of 142 stakes-winners for Darley Stud's flagship stallion Exceed And Excel who will command a fee of $82,500 in 2018.
