'Ferrari' fires for Moloneys on debut

Dubbed 'the Ferrari' by his strapper, Gerard Moloney's Express Class lived up to his nickname with an eye-catching upset victory on debut at Sandown on Wednesday.

The two-year-old Exceedance gelding had done little wrong in four jumpouts but started a $42 chance in what looked a hot maiden, with maiden winners Ferivia ($2.50) and Conscience ($2.35) both holding big pre-race expectations.

But, under a perfect ride by Moloney's son Patrick, Express Class glided past some highly rated stablemates in the straight, prompting a fist pump from his excited rider.

WATCH: Express Class' win

"He might be special, maybe … the big fella, 'Moods' (Peter Moody), put a bit of a rap out on his (Conscience)," Gerard Moloney said.

"The young girl who works for us, Jess, she calls this bloke 'the Ferrari'. It was a good performance.

"I didn't want to run him in this race, against three horses who had won races, but anyway, it was the perfect distance for him.

"If you watch him walk, this horse is a gun mover. He's just a beautifully actioned horse (and) you can't beat having your son on it."

Patrick Moloney, who timed his run perfectly from a three-wide trailing position, was over the moon to get the win for his old man.

He confirmed that the team was desperate to avoid a debut mid-week test if possible and subsequently kept hopes low for what would turn out to be a most-impressive performance.

"Dad's been around the game for a long, long time and he's a real horseman," Patrick said.

"He's normally pretty reserved, but obviously you can't beat riding a winner for Dad. He loves putting me on, I ride everything of his.

"We came here with very low expectations - if you heard Dad's pre-(race) video at the stables of this horse, he pretty much put a massive wet blanket on, because the race came up so strong.

"He's a pretty raw canvas at the moment. Geez he shocked me, the way he let rip and did it with authority, a lot of arrogance … Dad might've found one."

WATCH: Hear from Patrick Moloney

The plan was for Express Class to have his first run, albeit in a higher grade than preferred and then head for a spell to think about it.

However, these plans may now be torn up, based on Wednesday's superb performance.

"There were no other options for him but this one and then he was probably going out for a break," Moloney junior said.

"But he might have to stay in the stables for a little bit longer, I don't ride horses fast like him enough, so it's really, really, really rewarding for Dad especially.

"Put the champagne in the fridge, Mum!"