Grand Syndicates is trying to keep expectations in check following Leonchroi’s win at Caulfield on Monday, but Blake Shinn’s comments might prompt them to consider more ambitious targets for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained three-year-old.

Melbourne’s top jockey suggested the gelding could be a “South Australian Derby type of horse” after partnering him to a strong victory in the $55,000 Anthem Workwear Plate (1800m) on the Heath track.

For Grand Syndicates’ racing manager Steve Leoni, the focus was simply on securing a maiden win.

“He’s as green as the grass he’s racing on, he’s got some scope, but where he ends up, I don’t know,” Leoni said.

“The aim was to win a maiden and if he proves progressive, maybe the South Australian Derby could be an option, but the goal was just to win.”

The son of Contributer, who started as the $3 favourite, won by a half-neck, surging late after being held up around the bend to pass Symon Wilde-trained American Gas ($4.20), with Move The Torana finishing almost two lengths away in third.

It was only Leonchroi’s second start, having been purchased for $42,500 at the Karaka Yearling Sale, and Shinn believes there is still much to come from him.

“He’s a nice horse, but he’s a long way off the finished product,” Shinn said.

“I liked his last 100 and the feeling he gave me was that he could be a South Australian Derby-type of horse, but time will tell.”

“He’s in the right hands and they’ll know where to place him and put him on the right path.”

Leonchroi’s win came in the second race on the Super Bowl Monday card, following an on-course NFL event attended by over 1000 people to watch the Philadelphia Eagles’ commanding Super Bowl win over the New Orleans Saints.