The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Faeger has claimed a deserved first victory at Canterbury on Wednesday.
The $560,000 yearling purchase had placed at three of his five starts behind some promising types but proved too strong on Wednesday in the All Too Hard@Vinery Handicap (1100m) with the addition of blinkers.
"Obviously, it was a big gear change and that really switched him on," jockey Tim Clark said.
"He was able to, with race fitness on his side, put himself into a good spot and he fought on strongly.
"A couple of the horses that have been beating him are pretty decent horses so he definitely deserved that and I think once he gets over a little bit further he'll be able to go on with it."
Paul Snowden also believes the extra ground will benefit the three-year-old.
"I thought Tim was very patient, he only asked for an effort when he really had to and probably thought he had the leader in his sights and it was just a matter of what was coming at him late," Snowden said.
"He's a lovely individual, you look at him and he's a picture of health.
"He's a big strong customer that's probably going to be suited over a touch further but he's tradesman like, he gets the job done and that's all he needs to do."
Faeger ($3.60) gripped on by a head to Hawkes' fast finishing Hong Qigong ($4.20) with Jim and Greg Lee's Lightz ($3.80) a further nose away in third.
