The real Dominant finally showed up yesterday, showing he will be a staying force for the foreseeable future, starting with the Group One Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) in three weeks.
The flashy John Moore-trained colt overcame a chequered passage in the straight under Douglas Whyte, only breaking clear inside the last furlong to blitz rivals at the end of a muddling-run race.
Dominant, who raced under the same name in England, was one of Moore's high-priced purchases aimed at the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby.
The near-black colt's best local run was a second in the Classic Cup, but he was unfavoured by a slow pace when eighth in the Derby and ran on well carrying top weight at Happy Valley last start over 2,200m - priming him for yesterday's statement effort.
'His presence in the paddock, his coat, his demeanour had improved every run since he has been here,' Moore said. 'In the paddock he looked so well and had just come on from the run at Happy Valley. He'll go to the Champions & Chater and that will be him for the season, then we'll leave him alone and let him have a nice off-season. 'It was encouraging and he'd probably have no trouble getting further either.'
With the 118-rated Noble Conqueror entered, it left the Dominant (104) carrying just 119 pounds, six more than the limit weight, and running against horses he had a clear class edge on.