The four-year-old began quickly from gate three to head off favourite Weerrook Harry, who was drawn to his inside, and was well-rated in front by novice reinsman Ben Woodsford.

Weerrook Harry tried to challenge in the home straight but Rocket Blaster ($4.60 to $5.50) comfortably held him at bay to score by almost 3m going 2:00.6.

Lockhart, who won last season's $150,000 Tasmanian Oaks and $50,000 Thousand Guineas with his top thoroughbred filly Shady Hustle, has had Rocket Blaster since June.

"I got him off Melissa Maine and Gareth Rattray," the trainer said.

"Gareth told me the horse was probably at the end of his preparation but he was doing a few little things wrong so we wanted to keep him going to try to straighten him out a little bit, which we did.

"We then tipped him out for a month and he's come back bigger and stronger.

"His first-up run was good and Ben drove him a treat tonight which was the first time he's drawn a nice gate."

Lockhart said he had learnt that good barriers were even more important in harness racing than at the gallops.

Rocket Blaster is the only pacer he has in work and he also has five thoroughbreds.

"I'm looking to buy a couple more gallopers and another pacer but I'm waiting until the right horses come along," he said.

"I'm always happy to train for outside owners but I thought it would be better if I owned my first pacer myself - in case I stuffed it up."

IMPASSABLE maintained his unbeaten record since a 3-1/2-year layoff when he led all the way in the Rating 55-59. The Bill Dornauf-trained gelding was backed as if unbeatable, from $1.60 to $1.35, and John Walters drove him accordingly.

HYPERSONIC DRIVE ($4.40 to $4.00) won the Rating 50-54 at his second start for new trainer Heath Szczypka. After racing fifth on the pegs, driver Todd Rattray got a split in the home straight and the gelding finishing strongly to score by a half neck in 2:00.3.

HEZA RUMMAGE ($81 to $51) caused an upset in the Rating 60-64. After leading early, he was headed by Thomas Burns who looked all over a winner until he drifted up the track in the closing stages and allowed Troy McDonald to poke through on the inside and steal victory by a head.

YATSENYUK LEIS ($12 to $7.50) zoomed to the lead at the 1500m and rated a slippery 1:58.7 to win the Rating 65-74 for trainer Shelley Barnes and bring up an early double for John Walters.