A Zeditave Stakes that lacked a lot on paper has thrown up a winner who may well have plenty to offer.
Happy Galaxy, a colt by Nadeem with both speed and scope, claimed his first piece of black type in the Listed 1200m event, but probably not his last.
"He's still a bit of a kid," said winning rider Dwayne Dunn.
"But he's got plenty of ability and a lot to look forward to."
Starting a short-priced favourite, Happy Galaxy ($1.35) controlled the race from the moment he left the gates, shrugging off the token challenge of runner-up Rusambo ($4) to score by 2-3/4 lengths.
The South Australian colt Wakeel ($21) finished third, another 3-3/4 lengths away.
While a four-horse Listed race might appear disappointing, Happy Galaxy added a touch of class to the lack of numbers.
The colt is out of the American-bred mare Seven Stars who is a half-sister to last year's Dubai World Cup winner Monterosso.
A $220,000 purchase by the Macau-based brothers Nicholas and James Moore for Chinese businessman Ye Hanqiang, Happy Galaxy's grand dam is the handy Australian race mare Porta Rocca.
As well as possessing his share of talent, Happy Galaxy benefited from a typical Hawkes Racing build up that equipped him well for Saturday's victory.
"He'd had a Melbourne preparation last year, so when he came down from Sydney this week he went straight into his old box without any fuss or stress," said stable spokesman Ricky Frew.
"He's come a long way in a short time, but he's got the ability to do it."