But after watching everything go wrong in three starts in his debut preparation, the trainer opted to start afresh.

It's an approach which paid handsome dividends at Kembla Grange on Tuesday when the three-year-old broke through in the Windang Bowls 3YO Maiden Handicap (1000m).

After being tucked away on the rails, things opened up for jockey Tye Angland at the top of the straight and Dorf Star charged to the line ahead of Sonic Swish and Star Art.

The result had Conners looking towards bigger things.

"It was a pretty hard race I think," he said.

"Before the race - on paper - I thought there were a lot of good trial winners with a lot of leading trainers.

"I was happy with my horse going into the race. His work had been nice and his trials have been really good.

"I had a high opinion of him last preparation but I sort of had to come back this preparation and start again with him.

"I had to teach him to relax and settle which he did today.

"I think he is a nice horse going places."

Conners had given the colt a start in the Group 3 Black Opal Stakes in Canberra in March where the colt finished well back behind Takedown.

The experienced trainer was unsure if the son of Starcraft would be able to return to racing at that level.

"He might have a black type future with a bit more maturity," he said.

"His mother [Dorf Command] was a good little horse. She won a listed race and placed in a couple of group races. I am hoping he can do the same as her."

Conners notched up an early double in the day when Rightoncue, ridden by Scott Pollard, took out race two.

The win was the five-year-old's third - all of which have been registered at Kembla Grange.

"He is a nice little gelding," Conners said.

"I did a few little things when we got home. I have put a tongue-tie on him and a crossover noseband and it seems to have done wonders for the horse.

"But he just really loves Kembla Grange."