The four-year-old gelding, who is being trained by Elmore's Keith Cotchin while in Victoria, is co-owned by Billy Burns and was named after his deceased son-in-law Chris Mallia.

Also owners are Chris' daughter Kobie Mallia, Sharon and Jake Mallia, and Sydney trainer James Rattray, who sent the horse south in the hopes of gaining his Vicbred bonus.

Credit To Chris, by Crazed out of Calixte, was one of 10 horses on Monday to get their first win, on a program devoted entirely to maiden performers.

Given his ownership and history of setbacks, both in Victoria and back home, Cotchin declared his win in the Harness Breeders Victoria Vicbred Maiden Trot (2190m) a sentimental one for connections.

"James (Rattray) had him up in Sydney and he never got much of a chance ... there were a few issues with him, but James did a good job with him," he said.

"He thought he was going okay, so he'd get him down to Victoria to try and win his Vicbred bonus.

"But when he came down, he never really settled. We thought he'd be okay, but when we ran him the first time, he pulled up with the thumps.

"So, we ended up giving him a week or so off and started again, and since then he's been good as gold. He hasn't looked back.

"He's had a chance to get his confidence, whereas up in Sydney, every time he went around he had to go up against horses, who'd already won two or three races.

"He just needed the chance, and now he's matured a bit, he's looking good."

Following his breakthrough win, which came at career start number eight, Cotchin and Rattray confirmed Credit For Chris was in for an extended stay in Victoria.

"I think there's a nice race for him at Charlton next week and then there is Sires Stakes coming up, which, he's below the best of them, but if they have the bronze and silver and that type of thing, you never know," Cotchin said.

"He's an improving type and has a nice turn of speed. When you have that early speed, it always helps.

"Since he's been around here, besides his first run when he was a bit crook, all his runs have been pretty good."

Winning driver Ryan Duffy, who led from start to finish on Credit For Chris, agreed the four-year-old trotter had plenty of raw talent.

"Probably being up at Menangle, and the brutal way they race, he probably got just a bit ahead of himself," he said.

"He was ripping and tearing when he came down, but he is starting to relax and put it together.

"Just trying to keep him settled, I think the ability is there, he's just a work in progress.

"Keith has done a good job with him and he has got a few (trotters) at the moment who are going really well."

Race 1: Bullion Harry (Chris Lang/Chris Lang)

Race 2: Euryphaessa (Kylie Sugars/Kylie Sugars)

Race 3: Abitofadreamer (Kim Procter/John Justice)

Race 4; Credit To Chris (Keith Cotchin/Ryan Duffy)

Race 5: Triple Zed (David Murphy/David Murphy)

Race 6: Shesa Pocketrocket (Andy Gath/Kate Gath)

Race 7: Soho Broadway (Michael Stanley/Michael Stanley)

Race 8: Aussiepride (Basil Dooley/Paula Martin)

Race 9: Queen Of Crime (Matthew Craven/matthew Craven)

Race 10: Helansin (Alison Alford/Chris Alford)

Read more: Brackenreid bounces back to the winner's list | VIDEO

Cotchin-trained duo impresses at Lord's Raceway

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