Walking Or Dancing turned in an exceptional first-up effort to lead all the way in the 1400-metre group 3 event.

"He was 85 per cent fit today. He will improve heaps and he will be aimed at the Doncaster," Partelle said.

"This horse has had his doubters, but believe me he is the real deal. He showed that today."

Partelle came to Newcastle fully armed with a race plan for star jockey Glen Boss.

It was supposed to be a repeat of Walking Or Dancing's win at the Gold Coast in January, when Boss brought the horse with a well-timed late run to win the Magic Millions Trophy running away.

"All the plans went out the window when he jumped so well," Partelle said.

But he did not panic when Boss took command of the race.

"That is why you put group 1 riders on them," Partelle said.

But the hard-working trainer admitted to some concern as Boss continued to stack and rack his rivals.

"Worried? You bet I was," Partelle said.

"But I had a look at the sectionals halfway through the race and I was reasonably happy.

"They were walking. I just thought to myself 'this is my best-ever horse' and I know what times he could reel off'.

"Look, I have had some good horses over the years, but none stack up to this bloke.

"All I have to do now is win a group 1 with him and I will be happy.

"And after what he did today that could be just around the corner."

Partelle said the opposition had a "fair shot" at running his horse down.

"It was a fair effort first-up at group level over 1400 metres," Partelle said.

"The other horses behind the lead had every chance to beat him.

"They couldn't. It is just a terrific relief when you have a good horse and he comes back like that."

Partelle is looking to the George Ryder on April 3 as the five-year-old's next assignment.

"It looks like being an exceptional George Ryder, but going there is the pathway to the Doncaster and that is our aim," he said.

The horse has 51 kilograms in the $1.5 million Doncaster over 1600m on April 17.

Walking Or Dancing ($6) beat Brilliant Light ($7.50) by three-quarters of a length. Emperor Bonaparte ($16) was the same distance away third.

Boss said Walking Or Dancing was a lightweight chance in the Doncaster.

"Each year some horse emerges from the Newmarket as a Donny hope, and this is the one this year," he said.

Meanwhile, apprentice Nathan Berry was unhurt when he fell off Sainthood just after barrier rise in the big race.