Presently preparing his prolific pacer Smart Major for another campaign, Brown shares ownership of Dastaan with his sister Donna Bliss from Forbes, David Sullivan from Lightning Ridge and Craig Holdsworth.

Purchased after nine unplaced runs in Victoria, Dastaan has started three times under the care of Parkes trainer George Wright for a win and two placings.

Ridden by Tony Cavallo in the Breakout River Meats Maiden Plate (1375 metres) at Cowra, Dastaan ($3.20) led for home then fought off the challenge from On The Delta ($6) to win by a half neck with the $2 favourite Sekerna over two lengths away in third.

The experienced Cavallo was also responsible for a fine ride on the John Marzol-trained Haveago Charlie which humped the 63kg top weight in the 1700-metre Pepper Tree Equine Clinic Benchmark 50 Handicap.

Running fourth to the home turn, Haveago Charlie ($3.20) prevailed by a long head over Husson’s Shout ($4) with a long neck to the third placed Kind Reward ($2.80 favourite).

First leg of a winning double for Andrew Banks was Young Jackson in the Class 1 Handicap (950m) for Cootamundra trainer Richard Coulton.

With a typically strong ride, Banks then got Bounty Belle ($5) home first in a close finish in the 1100-metre Jamieson’s Joinery And Building Centre Benchmark 50 Handicap, scoring in a three-way photo finish.