John Thompson admitted to a few anxious moments before Dreamforce landed successive victories in the Group Two Tramway Stakes at Randwick.
The frontrunner had an early stoush with free-rolling mare Greysful Glamour before taking control of the 1400m race and from there he did not relinquish his advantage.
“I was a bit worried, especially after him going keen last start,” Thompson said.
“He stripped a lot better horse and on top of the ground helps. They were big pluses for us.
“You just had to put a line through his first up run. It was just a disaster.”
Dreamforce ($3.30 fav) finished down the track when he resumed in the Winx Stakes after enduring a difficult run but able to get his own way in front on Saturday, he held off Kolding ($8.50) by a short neck with another neck to Reloaded ($5.50).
He is likely to have his next start in the Group One George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 19.
Thompson was most thrilled to win the Tramway in honour of his friend, trainer Rick Worthington, who died on Saturday following a long battle with cancer.
Jockeys wore black armbands in Worthington’s memory a race earlier and Thompson asked Dreamforce’s rider Nash Rawiller to keep his on for the Tramway.
“I’m rapt to win a race with an armband on for Rick. He was a good mate,” Thompson said.
Glen Boss was questioned by stewards over his ride on beaten favourite Icebath in the final race with the stipes raising issues with two elements of his ride.
Boss was asked about his decision-making early in the race and whether he could have started a forward move earlier than he did.
The matter has been adjourned.