Champion Sydney apprentice Kathy O'Hara struck an early blow in Dubai with victory in the opening leg of the Emirates International Apprentice Jockeys' Championship (EIAJC) at Nad Al Sheba.

New Zealand apprentice Buddy Lamas made it an Australasian clean sweep when he booted home Delude to win the second race in the series.

Making her international debut and having her first ride on a dirt surface, O'Hara rode the Ali Rashid al Raihe-trained Outpoker to score by a neck over Japan's Kodai Hasegawi aboard Sigolo.

"It was a big thrill to win a race over here, it is the first time that I have ridden over the straight 1000 metres and also the first time that I have ridden on a dirt track at a race meeting," O'Hara said.

The program also afforded O'Hara the chance to enjoy her first competitive ride aboard a purebred Arabian, who finished fifth in a maiden.

The third and fourth legs of the Apprentice Jockeys' Championship will be held on Friday with the final two legs on Saturday.

Riders are awarded points depending on their finishing position in each of the six races and the one with the most points accrued at the end is declared the winner.