Lewes trainer Jamie Poulton hit the big time when he won his first group race on his first trip racing abroad.

Crocodile Dundee got the better of a head-to-head battle with Maktub, trained by Michael Jarvis, to win the Tuborg Scandinavian Open Championship at Klampenborg, Copenhagen.

John Egan partnered the colt, as he has done all this year, and with the restricted use of the whip, which is the rule in Denmark, saved his effort for the last strides.

Poulton said: "John got a warning from the stewards an hour earlier when he finished a close second on Tiger Tiger for using the whip more than five times, so his effort on Crocodile Dundee was brilliant."

The raid on Denmark was planned after Crocodile Dundee finished second at Royal Ascot to Moscow Ballet in June.

Poulton said: "I sent Tiger Tiger over as a travelling companion but he earned his keep with his second place money.

"The journey by lorry took two days, with a stopover in Bremen, and the horses had a couple of days to get over the trip. Obviously it didn't take much out of them."

Crocodile Dundee, whose entry for the Melbourne Cup in November was solicited by the Victoria Racing Club within hours of his victory, is likely to run at Deauville in two weeks time and may return to Scandinavia for the Stockholm Cup on September 12.

Poulton said: "Much depends on how he comes out of last week's race but I certainly won't overdo it with him because he will be a better horse next year."

Owner Ron Huggins is inclined to skip this year's Melbourne Cup and aim for the same race in 15 months time.

He said: "A northern hemisphere three-year-old is six months behind his Australian counterpart.

"Although the Melbourne people would love to get him there, partly because of his name, I'm more likely to send Double Obsession, who is trained by Mark Johnstone, for this year's race.

"Having been there with Double Trigger, I know just how tough it is and Crocodile Dundee would have a better chance as a four-year-old."

Huggins, who lives near Tonbridge, praised Poulton's staff, led by Leanne Miles.

"The racecourse authorities told me she was the first to arrive at the stables in the morning and last to leave at night. She had the foresight to get a professional jockey to give both horses a spin round the unfamiliar track the morning before the race.

"Leanne rides Crocodile Dundee every morning at home and the whole weekend was a great thrill and a triumph for the team."

Poulton added: "It is quite a humbling experience to win a race which is part of the European pattern.

"I began with just three horses eight years ago and the operation has expanded steadily. But to have a Royal Ascot winner (Corrib Eclipse) and now my first Group race winner, is brilliant."

The Danish racing authorities gave tremendous support with a grant towards travelling and were most hospitable towards owner, trainer and stable staff as well.

Poulton said: "Given the right horse, I would go back there in the future."

A Group Two race at York on August 17 is on the schedule for Corrib Eclipse.

"He needs the firm ground he had at Ascot and the way things are going he should get it," said Poulton.

Jamie's domestic earnings have topped the six-figure mark for the first time.