Te Rapa visitor First Five delivered on his enormous potential when he gave trainer David Greene his first Group One success when taking out the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham.

Carrying his favourite number 10 saddlecloth, the strapping son of Almanzor took full advantage of that good omen as he dominated the closing stages of the time-honoured sprint feature to head off the challenge of last year’s third placegetter Navigator and the winner of the 2025 contest, Grail Seeker.

Successful in the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) on his home track at Te Rapa last month, Greene immediately declared the Telegraph as the major target for his charge and never waivered in his faith that this was the horse who could provide him with a Group One victory.

Greene has made no secret of his regard for First Five and cut an emotional figure as he recalled how close he had been to success at elite-level in the past.

“This is unbelievable really and thanks be to God as we have been waiting for a while (to win a Group One),” Greene said.

“It’s pretty special and just great to do it with this group of owners.

“When he (First Five) was sitting outside the leader I was just thinking he looked to be travelling comfortably, but I wasn’t sure if that was good or not.

“Wiremu knew what he had underneath him and he was strong all the way through the line.

“To win a Group One, weight-for-age race at Trentham, it doesn’t get any better than this.”

By Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor out of the six-race winner Payette, First Five carried the familiar colours of his breeder Gerald Shand who co-owns him along with Jenna McLeod and Jackie and Philip Rogers.

He has now won seven of his 19 starts and more than $523,000 in prizemoney.

• extract from Raceform article written by Kevin Robertson