The Align five-year-old was resuming after a break of 140 days following his last win in a 1000m speed dash in December. Last year, he began the campaign with an all-the-way win after a four-month break, but the opposition looked meatier this time round.

Even if he was up against the likes of Nova Missile, Super Six and Golden Tomahawk in the mix, there were still some quarters who could conceivably see Red Dawn ($51) repeat the same feat this year – and he did, albeit in a different register.

Favourite Nova Missile (Manoel Nunes) had hit the front at the 300m and looked like he could hang in there even if he was not pulling away as is his habit.

Matthew Kellady, who was aboard at the last three of Red Dawn's previous five wins, would not have any of it as he threw everything bar the sink at his mount inside the last 100 yards. His effort was rewarded as Red Dawn gradually wore Nova Missile down on his inside to get the upperhand by half-a-length.

Golden Tomahawk (Vlad Duric) looked like he could stake a claim of his own at the top of the straight, but stayed one-paced to run third another 2 ½ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 4.59secs.

"He won impressively at his last start and I then gave him a spell. He's come back in good form and trialled well," said Baertschiger.

"There was a strong tempo to the race and I know he can finish strongly.

"He was a funny horse in his early days. We put the blinkers on and he would not go on.

"He even threw John Powell in the bushes but he's matured and is a more sensible horse now.

"He's improved at every prep and can go on to become a Class 2 horse."

Kellady concurred with Baertschiger that Red Dawn has turned into a much-improved individual overall, with the bonus his versatility.

"This horse has all along shown good ability. Shane has done a good job with him, he hit the line strongly and he ran good time tonight, too," said the Ipoh-born jockey.

"At his early days, he was quite tricky, but now you can ride him back, midfield or forward, he is okay. He has matured a lot and can win more races."

With that sixth win, Red Dawn has brought his record to six wins and seven placings from 28 starts for prizemoney totalling close to $320,000 for the Auric Stable.