The Cessnock trainer has won Dubbo Turf Club’s two-year-old feature before in the past with Alley Miss and now he is hoping to repeat that effort with her progeny, Big Reg.

Big Reg, albeit while showing he was still a bit green, won on debut on Sunday, taking out the Silver Goblet Prelude (1100m) at Dubbo.

Howlett made the trip in a positive mood following the colt’s promising trial win on May 1 and Big Reg delivered, holding off Tracey Bartley’s Arrossire and a protest to score victory.

Big Reg ($2.80 favourite), ridden by Travis Wolfgram, took the lead at the top of the straight and despite some wayward galloping on his way home he was able to hold off the fast-finishing Arrossire and win by a short-head while Charsea’s Gift was a further three-and-three-quarter lengths back in third.