The worldwide Darley racing operation produced an early winner from its latest generation of gallopers when Kuroshio claimed the Listed Herald Sun Superracing Stakes (1000m), the first Melbourne juvenile race of the season, at Flemington.

Kuroshio ($6.50) is the most prominent survivor of the first squad of two-year-olds trainer Peter Snowden sent to Melbourne this season – and the forerunner of many more to come.

“I sent eight horses down from Sydney about three weeks ago,” Snowden said.

“This one held together best, so he went to the races.”

Kuroshio showed speed and tenacity to race on the pace and then hold off runner-up Rockford ($5.50) to score by a long head.

Excitable Boy ($26) also displayed speed and hung on well for third, three-quarters of a length further back.

Snowden said it was too early to predict any future for Kuroshio, a son of Exceed And Excel and a brother to the Group Three winner Believe `n’ Succeed.

As well as striking an early blow for the Darley team, Kuroshio got his jockey Glen Boss off to the sort of start he’s getting used to.

At the last two Melbourne weekend meetings Boss has ridden a treble of winners.