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Technician has made an encouraging start to his career and he remains on a Group One path after opening his winning account.

The Nicola Marshall-trained son of Coats Choice dropped back in class at Awapuni on Saturday to claim the Waterforce/Marsh Insurance Brokers 3YO Maiden, but it was a temporary step down with loftier goals ahead of the gelding.

The Gr.2 Sacred Falls Hawke’s Bay Guineas on October 1 now looms as Technician’s next assignment.

“We’ll see how he comes through this race first and he is also nominated for Riccarton as well,” Marshall said.

“I don’t think he copped the track at all today, he looked to be struggling but this was the better option for him and I’m happy he got there.”

A $61 chance for the Gr.1 Sothys NZ 2000 Guineas on November 5, Technician enjoyed a perfect run in the trail and he responded in the straight to hold off the late challenge of Stephenstihls.

“The best place was in the trail and when the leader rolled off it gave me the run,” rider Hayden Tinsley said.

Technician had kept black type company in both of his previous appearances with a debut third in the Listed Castletown Stakes behind the unbeaten Volpe Veloce before he was given a break.

He wasn’t disgraced when he finished fifth in the Listed Wanganui Guineas when resuming behind Highlad and Manhattan Street, whose performances earned them trips to Australia.