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Instigator finally broke his maiden status in Australia by claiming the JJ Houlahan Hurdle at Ballarat.

Purchased with an eye to contesting major flat races, Instigator has broken his maiden status in Australia claiming the J J Houlahan Hurdle at Ballarat. 

The victory on Sunday was Instigator's second in a career spanning 30 starts that commenced in Germany in 2017 with the gelding winning over 1800m at Cologne on debut. 

Instigator had run numerous placings in flat races after his arrival in Australia in the spring of 2018 and had continued that trend since switching to hurdling at his last two starts. 

Ridden patiently by Lee Horner, who scored earlier on the program aboard Flying Agent, Instigator raced to a 16 length victory in the 3200m feature named after the doyen of jumps trainers, Jim Houlahan. 

Trainer Aaron Purcell said he had been left frustrated by Instigator who had the class to be a stakes class horse but had struggled in lower class races. 

"But he's a really good jumper and that's what keeps him involved in the races," Purcell said. 

Purcell admitted he was concerned when Instigator was left in front turning for home with two jumps remaining. 

After clearing the second last confidently, Instigator did not handle the final jump with the same aplomb, but had opened up a large margin on his rivals before Horner allowed the gelding to cruise home. 

"I was a little bit concerned that he hit the front so far from home but looking back through the field there was nothing really coming," Purcell said. 

"As long as he jumped the last safely then the race was over." 

Purcell said Instigator would now have a good break and be set for the Galleywood Hurdle at Warrnambool next May. 

The trainer won the race, on his home track, in 2018 with Two Hats. 

"Everything we do we'll just work back from the Galleywood and have him as good as we can for then," Purcell said. 

"He deserves to be in good races."