Winx's younger brother El Divino and Godolphin colt Astern have kicked off the first day of The Championships with a poser for the judge.

At the end of the Group Three Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) the two could not be separated, clearing out by 3-1/2 lengths on third-placed Geneteau.

Astern, who ran in the Golden Slipper two weeks ago, was the $2.15 favourite with the Gai Waterhouse-trained El Divino second elect at $4.60.

Winx's breeder John Camilleri sold the Cox Plate winner as a yearling but retained her younger half-brother.

He has a full-brother to El Divino going through the Easter Sale in Sydney next week.

"It's fantastic and we're very happy to be in the esteemed company of Godolphin," Camilleri said.

"It's a good way to start off the day and that will certainly help at the sales next Tuesday."

Godolphin head trainer John O'Shea said the decision to give the colt another autumn run was based on long-term plans.

"It's five months to the Run To The Rose and that's a long time to be in the paddock," he said.

"He performed really well today and we're happy to share the win."

While O'Shea was happy to share victory, jockey James McDonald was a bit peeved.

"It's no fun dead-heating," he said.

El Divino's rider Blake Shinn was a more cheerful.

"It could have gone either way. Dead-heat I'll take any day," Shinn said.

The race was run on a soft track with the pair more than 1.5 seconds outside the race record.