Spelled and transferred to Kris Lees after two fourth place finishes at metropolitan tracks in spring last year, Raiden was sent out a hot favourite for the 1100 metre maiden.
He was fractious in the gates and blew the start when beaten at his first run
back from a spell last month, but there was no sign of that behaviour this time
around.Raiden jumped well for Brenton Avdulla and quickly settled just behind the leaders before shooting away down the running to win eased down.
A $420,000 Inglis Premier purchase from the Newgate Farm draft, Raiden runs in the Australian Bloodstock colours for a large syndicate of owners.
Bred by the Estate of the late Dr Edmund Bateman, Raiden was foaled and raised at Newgate and is the second winner for Group I placed Encosta de Lago are Glowlamp, who comes from the family of European Horse of the Year Rock of Gibraltar and Fastnet Rock's Irish Group I winning two year-old Intricately.
Raiden is another bright prospect for Australia's reigning Champion Second Season Sire Foxwedge, whose Group I winning daughter Foxplay resumes from a spell at Randwick on Saturday.
