Talented galloper Rhinestone Cowboy was on his best behaviour at Te Rapa today to land his first career victory.

The talented but headstrong Teofilo four-year-old had finished third at his only start as a three-year-old before being put aside to mature further by trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.

Set to resume on the last day of the Hawkes Bay spring carnival, Rhinestone Cowboy put on a display of buck-jumping and the like that saw him scratched at the barrier.

Supporters of the gelding held their breath as he made his way slowly to the start today but he was a picture of concentration as he fashioned a fine victory despite sitting wide for most of the 1400m contest.

“He’s a very good horse although he’s been in the buck-jumping ring,” Baker said.

“He did everything right today and he’s got that sort of ability.

“He was well behaved and I think he is a fair horse in the making.

“We’ll just pick out a 1600m race for him next and go from there.”

Raced by Lindsay de Souza, Willie Leung and Neville Murdoch, Rhinestone Cowboy carries the same colours as former top galloper Turn Me Loose who numbered three Group One victories amongst his 7 career wins.