Hi Manameisjeff made a statement with an impressive win on debut at Riverina Paceway on Friday.
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The former Kiwi clocked a mile rate of 1:55.6 despite copping plenty of pressure early for trainer-driver Rodney Coelli.
The son of Art Major showed promise in four trials at Menangle for Tim Butt almost a year ago however Coelli admitted he was surprised by the performance.
"He got attacked early and I didn't really know how good the work was as we've asked him to do too much," Coelli said.
"We haven't trialled him but thought we would just throw him in a race and see how he goes.
"We went a lot better than expected."
Leading from barrier one, Hi Manameisjeff ($6) ran his opening quarter in 27.8 seconds but still had plenty in reverse as he dashed home in 27.2 to down the resuming Realnspectacular ($1.90 fav) by 6.2 metres.
Coellii thought he could have gone faster if really tested by his rivals.
"The closer she got the more he wanted to go so he probably could have gone faster," he said. "He's only 80 to 90 per cent fit."
It was a meeting of breakthroughs with Master Of Illusion and Teninthebin also winning their first races.
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