Nice starting point for Binary

Co-trainer Michael Hawkes believes Binary is "probably another preparation away" despite recording an impressive debut win at Canterbury on Wednesday.

The three-year-old gelding by Starcraft was afforded every chance in the run by jockey James McDonald and let down strongly over the concluding stages to win the TAB Rewards Plate (1250m) in convincing fashion.

Hawkes, who trains in partnership with father John and brother Wayne, was taken by the first start win but remains guarded about the horse’s future.

"Mentally he’s not there yet,” he said. "It’s only his first start. He’s done a few things wrong.

"It was a nice starting point but I think the last 50 metres was his best once he started concentrating.

"He’s a really nice horse going forward.”

After travelling outside the leader, Binary went on to defeat Godolphin’s Crimson God by two lengths with the Joe Pride-trained Shadow Lord a head away in third.

The $2.80 favourite Avonaco from the Gai Waterhouse stable made a wide run from the back of the field to finish 2-1/2 lengths away in fifth.