NZ based stallion Swiss Ace celebrated his first winner when Staccato scored like a hot favourite should at Pukekura on Thursday.

Staccato (2g Swiss Ace – Eclaircissement by Hussonet) had been overdue to break through and his timing couldn’t be better with a quality range of yearlings due to be offered at Karaka later this month.

He won the Kiwi Butcher Maiden (1200m) by more than two lengths from Jewel Of The Naki (Eighth Wonder).

Trained by Graeme & Debbie Rogerson, Staccato topped the 2013 Karaka Festival Sale at $125,000.

Swiss Ace has another promising runner when the Stephen McKee trained Passing Shot lines up in the G2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes at Trentham on Saturday.

Westbury Stud owner Gerry Harvey bought Swiss Ace after a career that included victories in the G1 Oakleigh Plate and G2 Sir Byrne Hart Stakes.  He was also runner-up to 2009 Horse of the Year Scenic Blast in the G1 Newmarket Hcp.

Swiss Ace is by Emirates Park sire Secret Savings, a Group 1 winning son of Mr Prospector sire Seeking the Gold.  He stands for a $10,000 at Westbury Stud in Karaka.