saloon passage
noun Australian /NZ informal
An easy and unimpeded progress or success: the team had a saloon passage into the semi-final...
- Australia has got a bit of a saloon passage because it's not colliding head on with any continent.
- The filly had a saloon passage up the middle of the track, but she had to be good to maintain a sustained finish from the back of the field.
- The 19-year-old has had anything but a saloon passage through to the top ranks of New Zealand's jockeys.
Origin
Early 20th century: with allusion to the more comfortable and expensive level of accommodation on a passenger ship.