Bear On The Loose will stay at 2400m for the Caloundra Cup at the Sunshine Coast after going close in the Winter Cup at his first test over the distance.

The Tulloch Lodge gelding had mainly raced over middle distances until trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stepped him up last start.

He made the running and held off all challengers except stablemate Sir Lucan.

“For his first attempt at the trip, his run was excellent,” Bott said.

“There were questions over whether he could get the trip and I think he relishes it.”

Rather than backing up in last weekend’s McKell Cup (2000m) or Stayer’s Cup (2400m), Bott opted to give him a three-week freshen.

The stable also has The Three Hundred in the Winx Guineas (1600m), expecting improvement after a tough Ipswich run.

“If he breaks cleanly… he will be much more effective,” Bott said.

Waterhouse and Bott are enjoying a record-breaking season for stakes wins.