Bowman's front running ride resulted in Croft's promising three-year-old Vite Loni breaking through for his initial victory in impressive style.

Starting at $8.50, Vite Loni was never threatened and scored easily from Double Eagle ($5.50) and Olympic Flag ($6).

Croft afterwards admitted he had told Bowman prior to the race that his gelding "was a better chaser than a leader".

"But I left it up to him to ride the race as he saw fit.

"I'm glad I did.

"I think this bloke's a pretty nice horse."

Vite Loni, a son of Lonhro and Palace Music mare Techniques (who won the 1999 Newcastle Newmarket when prepared by the late Max Lees), was last night having only his fourth start.

He raced once as a two-year-old earlier in the year before Croft spelled him to give him more time to mature.

The gelding had been placed at both runs since resuming on his home track on November 7 and 22.

This being only his second preparation, there is every reason to believe Vite Loni will show further improvement and win better races.