She killed her chances when she got back last at Te Rapa before running on strongly to just miss a place and her saddle slipped at Taranaki last start when she was the $1.90 favourite.
"She's not very big, but she can handle those tough conditions," said Lance O'Sullivan, who prepares the filly in partnership with Andrew Scott.
"And she's the sort of filly that just goes on improving."
Danielle Johnson was impressed. "She takes a bit of riding this filly, she's very tough."
Trainer Danny Walker admits to being very nervous before sending Twilight Dragon out for his first race in eight months on Saturday, but he can now take a bow for an excellent training performance.
Walker wasn't sure he had Twilight Dragon fit enough for what was a very stern test in the heavy conditions, but he could have saved himself the sweat.
The 5-year-old assumed his customary role out in front in the Scot Thrust 1200 and he was never headed in his first appearance since last August.
The speedster repelled a late charge from Flower Bomb, who had looked likely to win at the 150m.
"I was a bit concerned that some of the more seasoned horses might have the better of him, but he just loves it here," Walker said. "I gave him two trials and I was thankful I did."
Twilight Dragon has now won six races on the premier northern course and a lack of winter racing there has Walker unsure about the gelding's future programme.
"There is a race here next week, but that might be a bit too much to ask of him," he said.
"There's no other races here until September so I'll have to have a think about where he goes."
Twilight Dragon was handled by apprentice Rowena Smyth, whose loyalty to the stable earned her the ride. "Rowena does a lot of work for us behind the scenes," Walker said.
She bounced the gelding to the front and they had the chasing pack in trouble on the bend with only Flower Bomb to emerge as any threat in the straight, but Twilight Dragon stuck grimly to his task to see it through by a length.
- Additional reporting NZ Racing Desk
