On a day of firsts at Wingatui, Princess Brook's victory in the 1400m maiden could be the most important of all.
The 3yr-old filly powered home to beat Whatwasthat by three-quarters of a length, earning herself a place in the history of White Robe Lodge in the process.
The first progeny of former stakes performer Lesley Brook became the first Raise The Flag to win a race, but her trainer, Terry Kennedy, thinks there are more to come - not just from Princess Brook but the regally-bred White Robe Lodge stallion as well.
''The Raise The Flags are going to be very, very good horses,'' Kennedy said.
''I think the Raise The Flags are going to be better after Christmas over 1400m or further.''
And that's why Kennedy took her home last night with the plan of giving her a break.
''I'm going to chuck her out now and have a go at the fillies' races after Christmas,'' he said.
''She'll have three weeks out in the paddock now and come back in for those.''
Kennedy tried the filly as a 2yr-old, and she almost won on debut at Riccarton last year after putting in a big run.
But with hindsight, he might not have taken that approach if he had his time over with the Fred King-owned 3yr-old.
''She had that much speed we ran her as a 2yr-old which may have been the worst thing we had done. It's taken a while to get her back down.''
There was nothing new about Chris Johnson riding three winners.
Johnson backed up a three-win day at Winton earlier this month with three at Wingatui yesterday, including two - Seeking Redemption and Madam Bentley - aboard John and Karen Parsons-trained horses.
The other winner for the Parsons came through their apprentice, Gosen Jogoo, aboard Querer.
Other firsts included wins for the Dalliance and Arkle partnerships when the Steven Anderton-trained Movida finished over the top of Ready To Rule in the rating 65 1400m.
The Dalliance syndicate is managed by Otago Racing Club event and marketing manager Charlotte Neilson, while chief executive Andre Klein manages the Arkle Syndicate.
The Bringyagrogalong syndicate - which includes members of the extended family of jockey Courtney Barnes - and Graeme Clydesdale also race Movida.
The Dalliance and Arkle partnerships race the 4yr-old gelding Flagrante Delicto together.
Yesterday was the first time Ivanskavinskyskvar wore blinkers in a race, and the hunch of his trainer, Steven Prince, was on the mark after a disappointing effort at Winton on October 12.
''Chris Johnson rode him at Winton the other day and he got a bump at the 800m and he switched right off,'' Prince said.
''So I went home and thought about it and thought I'll try him in blinkers, because he's a wee bit timid.''
The blinkers did the trick as the son of Keeninsky flew home from midfield in the hands of Ryan Bishop to beat Emergency Call and Ishiacourt.
''Ryan said he travelled beautifully but he's still got a wee bit to learn, looking around at other horses and that,'' Prince said.''
He'll get 1400 to a mile [1600m] one day. Physically, he's not there yet.''
Jockey Toni Direen was taken to Dunedin Hospital after bruising her lower back and tailbone when her ride, Added, reared in the birdcage before race 3. She was cleared of any fractures, but has stood down from her three rides at Riccarton tomorrow.
