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A gelding operation went a long way in unlocking the winning potential of Bushido in the $75,000 Alibi 2017 Stakes, a Restricted Maiden-2 race over 1200m on Sunday.

The Japanese-bred three-year-old by King's Best raced twice for two fairly decent runs – fourth and fifth in Restricted Maiden company – back in February.

But trainer Michael Clements thought something was amiss with the Falcon Racing No 5 Stable-owned rig. Therein lied the problem.

"He showed pretty good form at his first trials and work before his first runs, but there was always a hanging in issue," said the Zimbabwean-born conditioner.

"He was a rig and they were up in his abdomen. We figured it got in the way, and that's why they were taken out – he was gelded.

"He came back a lot more tractable in his trials and gallops, and he dug down deep today. He was comfortable in the run, and hopefully, there is more to come.

"It was a genuine effort today, there is no reason why he can't go further."

Jockey Daniel Moor, who was aboard when he was a rig, said there was more natural improvement to come out from that maiden success.

"He made it the hard way today, but he was definitely more genuine and effective as opposed to his first two starts," said the Australian hoop.

"He lost his manhood, so he had to shape up or ship out. He showed good application.

"There is some upside to him. He can get further and he's better ridden quiet."

Bushido  certainly had to pull out all the stops to open his account on Sunday. When Moor tried to wedge his way between runners at the 300m, favourite Sea Dragon (Koh Teck Huat) was not in a mood to give way.

"Credit to TH Koh, he held me in for a while in the straight," said Moor.

It was indeed a bit of a scrap fight once Bushido ($21) found daylight with Whistle Grand (Glen Boss) and Sea Dragon locking horns and Lim's Torpedo (Simon Kok Wei Hoong) latching on late on the outside, but Clements' ward gained the verdict by half-a-length from Whistle Grand with Sea Dragon third another head away.

The winning time was 1min 11.27secs for the 1200m on the Short Course.