Blue-blooded colt Barood has a long way to go to emulate the feats of big brother Starspangledbanner but he has taken a step in the right direction with a powerful win at Canterbury.

Peter and Paul Snowden have deliberately kicked off the three-year-old's career during Sydney's off-season racing period in a bid to build a solid platform for loftier goals next year.

Barood, the popular $1.45 favourite in Wednesday's colts and geldings maiden (1200m), gave his supporters some anxious moments when he spotted the leaders a big start at the top of the straight.

But once the colt shouldered clear he motored to the line to score by half a length from Kopi Luwak who also ran on strongly from the tail of the field.

Peter Snowden said he anticipated Barood being slightly closer in the run but the swirling wind at Canterbury might have contributed to Blake Shinn's decision to get cover for as long as possible.

"(Blake) said he was the best horse in the race and I'll try to ride him that way but coming to the corner, I didn't think he'd be that far back," Peter Snowden said.

"It's the perfect time of year to get him through his classes. The depth isn't that strong and hopefully he can get two or three wins under his belt quickly.

"Next preparation is the one when we want to step him up the ladder and see what he can do."

If Barood continues to develop, Snowden plans to target the back-end of the Sydney autumn carnival and the winter races in Brisbane.

By Choisir out of Gold Anthem, Barood cost $450,000 as a yearling and is a full brother to Starspangledbanner who won four Group One races in two hemispheres and has forged a successful career as a sire despite fertility issues.

Meanwhile, Australian cricket captain Steve Smith has enjoyed recent success as a part-owner of Cauthen's Power but he was out of luck on Wednesday when another horse he holds a stake in, Hogmanay, was beaten out of a place as odds-on favourite in the 1550m-maiden.

Smith made the trip to Canterbury to watch the three-year-old and while Hogmanay disappointed, trainer Chris Waller said the gelding just needed time to mature and would be sent for a break.

The race was won by the Gary Moore-trained Beauty Hero who will be put through the ring at this week's Inglis summer thoroughbred sale in Sydney.