The Terry O'Sullivan trained galloper was expected to appreciate the class drop, but didn't have it all his way in the Howden Toyota Handicap event.

In what was a slowly run race, jockey Linda Meech decided to take Did We Win forward with 800 metres to run.

This wasn't the plan, but the slow pace gave Meech little choice. Despite taking off early, Did We Win was able to hold the field at bay to claim a comfortable victory.

O'Sullivan said Did We Win did well to be successful in the slower run race.

``It was a pretty slow race and he (Did We Win) took off fairly early, which wasn't the plan,'' O'Sullivan said.

``It worked out in the end, but he couldn't really get himself into the race.

``He had a hard day in his last run at Geelong, so the drop in class at Warracknabeal was better for him.''

Going in as favourite, Did We Win stormed home ahead of Red Riviera and Our Jessie Belle, showing no signs of his painful tendon injury last year.

``He hasn't been pulling up sore from any of his races, touch wood he'll stay that way,'' O'Sullivan said.

Did We Win now looks to Sunday's China Bowl at Ararat in one of his biggest races since returning from injury. The gelding is marked as a good chance of picking up part of the $60,000 prize money.