Of the tasks ahead for any experienced import, winning first time out in Class Three might not seem the toughest of them but it remains one achieved infrequently so Zac Purton and Paul O’Sullivan were looking forward with some optimism to the future of Washington Heights.

The four-year-old had some nice Group form, without actually winning, in a handful of runs in Australia as a two and three-year-old but his owners decided he wasn’t going to do well enough there to be a stallion proposition so Hong Kong and a gelding operation ensued.

And, after Washington Heights (Purton) put away another nice prospect in Malmsteen yesterday down the straight 1,000m, it was looking a good decision.

“He’d had a good preparation but still not many horses come here first start, with 133 pounds in Class Three, and manage to win, said Purton. “He didn’t draw the right side of the track, although I do think with this false rail on the outside now, it isn’t terminal to draw inside. It’s still not ideal but you have a chance.

“I got a little bit of cover on him, he travelled well and when he came, he came to win easily but it was unfamiliar territory for him. He’d never won a race before so when he was in front he wanted to ease up. So there was a lot to like about the win, he’s a nice looking horse with a good physique and I get the feeling he’ll handle 1,200m.”

The win was the second in half an hour for O’Sullivan, who had scored in the second race with Towering Storm (Joao Moreira) in a blanket finish to the Class Four over 2,000m.

“He’s outgrinded the grinders,” said O’Sullivan. “When Joao came back in, he said to me he thought the horse won pretty well so I tested him. I said, ‘Did he win well enough to want to ride him next time in Class Three?’ And Joao said no, so life is about to get tougher for Towering Storm.”

The eight-year-old has had a number of trainers but O’Sullivan seems to be getting the best tune out of him this season, with two wins and four other prize money cheques from six outings.

Four of those runs have been at Happy Valley but Moreira was convinced the gelding would prefer the open spaces at Sha Tin with his run on style.

“Instead of flashing home too late, I thought he’d have more time to build his run. He does have a decent turn of foot but we did get very lucky the runs came when they did today,” Moreira said.