William Pearson took a major step on the way back to the big time when he steered Impaler to victory at Rosehill on Saturday.

The former boom apprentice was outed for 10 months for his handling of No Penalty last October and in his absence Kathy O'Hara and Joe Fujii have gone full steam ahead.

O'Hara won last season's junior title and this term, Fujii has streaked to a commanding lead including a four-timer at Randwick last week.

But the two will be challenged by Pearson who enjoyed the winning feeling again.

"The last 50 metres as we were creeping up to the winning post, it was something else," Pearson said.

"Joe and Kathy are riding a lot of winners and I knew it would be hard when I came back.

"But this is just the start."

Pearson, whose father Chicka trains at Moruya on the NSW south coast, said he hoped now more trainers would be aware he was back and willing to put him on.

"The support has been good and this win won't do any harm" he said.

Impaler's trainer David Atkins was happy to have Pearson aboard his talented sprinter who has had his share of problems and a few career interruptions due to wet tracks.

"Willie is as good as any and he listens which is important," Atkins said.

"He rode Impaler exactly as we wanted."

Impaler got the firm track he needed in the Wyndham Estate Cup (1100m) and was allowed to use his natural speed to lead all the way and hold off Resistor by three-quarters of a length.

Atkins was unsure of future plans for Impaler.

"Where he runs always depends on the tracks," he said.