Stygian provided a bittersweet moment for owner-trainer Kalai Selvan when he broke his maiden on his home track at Ascot Park on Saturday.
The Gerry Harvey-bred son of Westbury Stud stallion Redwood produced a powerful late finish to win over 1400 metres at his fifth race day appearance.
Selvan is mourning the recent passing of his father and Stygian delivered a timely tonic.
“The horse has got a lot of potential, and this will mean a lot to Kalai,” said Barry Howden, who was standing in for Selvan who rode 65 winners.
Stygian has drawn attention to his prospects of breaking through at his previous appearance on the course when he rounded off well to finish third.
The four-year-old is a son of the late Commands mare Madam Butterfly whose dam Pure Beauty is a half-sister to the G3 Frank Packer Plate winner Carnegie House and the G3 David Jones Cup winner Spurtonic.
Pure Beauty was successful on four occasions and her grandmother Startling Lass won twice at Group 2 level in the Slipper Trial Stakes and the Veuve Clicquot Stakes and twice placed at the elite level.