The Kris Lees-trained gelding will contest the $100,000 Inglis 2YO Challenge (1100 metres) after winning on debut at Tamworth in a 1000m track record time on April 26.

A $30,000 buy for Lees Racing at the Scone Yearling Sale last year, the son of Nicconi and Chicago was named after John "Bopper" Mooney, who died in 2018.

Mooney was a well-known and colourful former police detective in Newcastle who was also an avid racing fan and mate of Lees' late father, champion trainer Max, and the rest of his family.

The Bopper's ownership group includes several people with close ties to Mooney, including his wife, Gale.

"It wasn't a plan actually," Kris said of racing a horse in memory of Mooney.

"We just needed a name for the horse and he'd shown enough and we'd thought he'd go all right, so we didn't think it was the worse thing."

The Bopper came four wide on the home turn before winning by two lengths under a hands-and-heels ride from Sammie Clenton on debut at Tamworth.

He was second in the ballot, with 56.5kg, for Friday's race ahead of acceptances and a barrier draw on Wednesday.

Lees has nominated The Bopper for the group 1 JJ Atkins (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 6 but he was keeping a lid on expectations after the impressive first-up win.

"It was a Tamworth two-year-old race so we don't get above ourselves but he's always shown us a bit," Lees said.

"He probably ran a little better than we thought, but it was pleasing to see."

As for the track record, he said: "That chute has been in action only a couple of years, but still they've had a lot of races over it, so it's all relative."

Lees believed The Bopper's strong finish run through the line at Tamworth pointed to improvement second-up at Scone.

"He's going to be suited now to the 1100 at Scone, so he's pretty hard to fault," he said. "He's still got a long way to go but he can't do anymore than he's done. It looks a nice option for him."