Ben Ropiha's aim of sending 2YO Ripnroll (Rip Van Winkle) to the paddock as a winner was fulfilled at Te Aroha.

The Cambridge trainer's plan was perfectly executed on Sunday when the promising youngster opened his account and will now be spelled ahead of black type spring targets.

"He's still a bit new and he had a good look around and shied at the post, but he was still impressive," Ropiha said.

"He's going through a growing spell. He's a pretty smart horse and he was only 80 per cent today, but I thought that would be enough.

"I didn't want to bring him back as a maiden three-year-old and now we can have him back in the spring with a plan for the Hawke's Bay Guineas and hopefully on to Riccarton."

The Rip Van Winkle gelding had finished sixth on debut and third at Te Awamutu before breaking through under Troy Harris at Te Aroha.

"He's always showed plenty of ability and he was unlucky not to win his first start at Hawke's Bay," Ropiha said.

"When he ran third behind Cyber Attack (ShamExpress) he was a bit slow away. He got over-racing and didn't corner that well, he's still untapped."