Coming back in trip from his 1100m debut posed a challenge, but promising colt Sonofkirk showcased his class with a powerful finish to score at Caulfield.
The betting site favourite at $4.20, Sonofkirk settled at the rear after another slow getaway under jockey Jye McNeil.
Despite the early setback, he surged through the field to defeat $5.50 hope Oyster Lane by a long head, with a 2¼-length gap to outsider Life After Love ($71) in third.
Stable rep Billie Rodda said they hoped for a sharper jump from barrier three but put the sluggish start down to inexperience.
“We purely put it down to just rawness and being his first start,” Rodda said.
“It was a phenomenal win. He showed a super turn of foot.”
Sonofkirk is now expected to head for a break, with early Spring three-year-old races on the radar.
McNeil added: “Here we were near last, sort of ducking and weaving, but thankfully he was well enough equipped to go on and win the race.”
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