Talented galloper Ocean Emperor gave his rivals weight and a beating when he took out the Courtesy Ford Red Craze Bowl (1400m) at Awapuni.
The seven-year-old Zabeel entire was having his first run since a disappointing campaign at Hawke's Bay that saw him finish midfield in the group one Tarzino Trophy (1400m) on the first day of the spring carnival there before dropping away to finish well back in the Windsor Park Plate (1600m) on the middle day.
The brief freshen-up worked the oracle as Ocean Emperor charged home along the fence for rider Rosie Myers to down talented performers Beefeater and Darscape Princess in yesterday's contest under the steadier of 60.5kg.
Trainer Gary Hennessy cut a satisfied figure as he watched his stable star return to the winner's enclosure.
"The key to him was getting some cover," Hennessy said.