Stakes assignments are in the offing for promising three-year-old Paragon following his convincing win in the Life Flight Save Time Saves Lives (1300m) at Tauherenikau on Sunday.

Bred by Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay, the couple race the son of Embellish with Alan and Kerry Harper, who have enjoyed early success with the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained youngster in just a handful of starts.

He had particularly shown promise as a two-year-old when finishing runner-up in both of his juvenile starts, including the Listed Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe last May. He was spelled following a disappointing two-start spring preparation, and his connections were pleased to see him bounce back first-up on Sunday.

Paragon was fair away and was sent forward to take up the pace-making role by jockey Jonathan Riddell. The pair didn’t relinquish their advantage and Paragon ran out a two-length victor over Tivaci’s Affair, with Rosalita a further short neck back in third.

“He has shown plenty of promise, so it is good to get a maiden win out of the way,” Cambridge Stud’s head of sales and nominations Scott Calder said.  

“It was a really nice win, and it was nice to see him do it so convincingly.

“He was a stakes performer as a two-year-old, so he has always shown plenty, particularly considering he is a mid-November foal.

“The way he is bred, and being by Embellish, we always hoped he was going to get better at three, so it was nice to see him get a win on the board.

“We are getting later in the season, but I am sure Rob and Roger will hatch a plan, he is a horse we think can go on with it from here.”

Paragon descends from Cambridge Stud royalty, with his second-dam being Group One winner Tristalove, who has produced Group One winner Viking Ruler and Group One performers Lovetrista, Kempinksy, and Diamond Like.

Paragon’s dam Love Diamonds has also been a successful producer, leaving the likes of Group Two winner and New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of her Year Queen Of Diamonds, and Group Three performer Lovetessa.