Smart placement paid off for Chris Waller as Crossbow broke his maiden in impressive fashion during Victoria’s first metro race of the season.

The gelding claimed the $150,000 TAB We’re On BM70 Handicap (1410m) at his first Victorian start, bouncing back from a narrow Randwick defeat last month.

Under Ben Melham, Crossbow enjoyed a smooth run and proved too strong late for his small field rivals.

“He began well, he did everything right, he was a gentleman… He feels progressive to me and he’s got a lovely nature,” Melham said.

“He was solid through the line at seven (furlongs), so he’ll definitely get a mile and maybe further.”

Crossbow is now rated a $26 chance for the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in October.

The $3.50 betting sites second favourite beat Hillier ($9), with $2.05 favourite Exit finishing third after a wayward run.

Jockey Blake Shinn said Exit would prefer more give in the ground than Saturday’s Good 4 surface.