Gai Waterhouse's chances for a first win in the Golden Rose have been strengthened by Dawn Passage's win in the Listed Rosebud at Rosehill.

Dawn Passage is on the third line of betting for next month's Group One race alongside Castelvecchio and behind Exceedance and Yes Yes Yes.

Those three are yet to begin their campaigns but Waterhouse and her training partner Adrian Bott have Dawn Passage up and running.

Having his third start and wearing blinkers for the first time, Dawn Passage ($4) got back in the field from the second widest barrier and Tim Clark had to bide his time to make a run.

Cardiff set a cracking pace but he and the other leaders were open to attack and the backmarkers came late.

Dawn Passage swooped and held off Let it Pour ($21) by a neck with favourite Lucicello ($3.70) another short half head third.

"He is an outstanding individual," Waterhouse said.

"He had to settle second last and make up many lengths.

"I think we will see more improvement as he gets over further and this race is the right stepping stone for him heading to the Golden Rose."

Blake Shinn rode Dawn Passage in his first two starts with Clark taking over as the former prepares to start a contract in Hong Kong next month.

Clark rode the colt to a recent barrier trial win and said he thought he could have been closer in the run with a better draw.

"I would have loved to have been a pair closer," Clark said.

"I'm sure he would have been able to settle closer with a kinder barrier draw.

"He will extend to the Golden Rose no problems.

"I really loved how he let down and savaged the line. I hadn't felt that top quality but after today he definitely goes up a rung."

Dawn Passage is at $11 for the Golden Rose on September 28 with Let it Pour and Lucicello both at $26.