West Australian Derby dreams for classy Perth three-year-old Flag Officer were given a boost at Ascot on Saturday when he scored a stylish all the way win in the listed TJ Smith Trophy (1600m).

Flag Officer ($7) was full of running to the line and held a three quarter length margin on the line to Dash for Home ($4 fav), while Lord Hatras ($9) was another length and a half further back in third place.

Trainer Paul Jordan was delighted with the victory of the ever consistent galloper and said he would give his charge every chance of becoming a Derby winner.

“He gave them all a chance to have a go at him,” Jordan said after the race. “He did all the donkey work and it’s up to the others to beat him.”

“Each of his runs have been terrific. He’s a real quality horse that is a real athlete in himself.”

“We’re hoping he can run the mile and a half. He’s a half brother to a couple of horses who ran over 2200 or so.”

“He’s the first crop of his sire Excites and who knows how far they will go.”

“He is built like a stayer though. He is athletic and stands over some ground and we’re hoping we can stretch him out further,” Jordan added.

The initial stakes winner for Excites, Flag Officer went into Saturday’s feature after running second the Magic Millions 3YO Trophy and third in the Challenge Stakes at listed level.

With three wins and five placings from just nine lifetime runs, Flag Officer has won his large group of owners $124,850 already.

That’s a great return considering Jordan went to just $34,000 to secure him from the draft of Mogumber Park at the 2010 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

Flag Officer is one of three stakes performers and eight winners from eight to race for the grand producing Gulch mare Fleet Marguerite.

Closely related to multiple Group One winner Geri, Fleet Marguerite is also the dam of the Waikato Guineas winner Blimey O’Reilly (now Upside of Anger in Hong Kong) and stakes performed 10 time Macau winner Strategy.

Flag Officer’s other half relations include Hong Kong winner American Victory and Brisbane winner Fast Fleet.

Winner: Flag Officer
Breeding: Excites-Fleet Marguerite (Gulch)
Race: WATC TJ Smith Trophy LR (1600m)
Sold for: $34,000
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Vendor: Mogumber Park
Buyer: Paul Jordan
Earnings: $124,850
Owner(s): Lima Syndicate (Mgr: HR Crossman), P Van Loenhout, CW Chalwell, L Bell, Mogumber Park Syndicate (Mgr: CW Brown), P Davies, IF Johnson, GR Butler
Trainer: Paul Jordan (Ascot)