SAPPHIRE Coast trainers Chris and Michelle Strickland opened their spring racing campaign with a first up winner at Moruya on Saturday, when Biscay Steel took out the Class 2 handicap over 1010 metres.

Biscay Steel, which started favourite at $3, put in an impressive performance, coming from last into the straight after missing the start to win by three-quarters of a length.

Paper Drama ($5) was second and Naturally Jane ($3.40) a short half head away third.

"The encouraging thing about his run was that he ran a faster time than they did in the open company sprint over the same distance," Michelle said.

"We have picked out a Class 3 race for him over the same distance at Moruya in a months time.

"He obviously likes the track. This was his second start there for two wins."

Biscay Steel, a four-year-old gelding was bred by his owner Neil Switzer at Cann River from the Biscay stallion Biscetti.

Switzer, a former trainer himself, who used to race horses at the old Pambula track, said that the horse had originally been sent to Melbourne to race, but did not like the stables environment.

He is lightly raced and was having only his seventh start on Saturday.

The next Sapphire Coast Turf Club race meeting will be on Melbourne Cup day - Tuesday, November 1.