Victoria Derby placegetter China Sea will take another step towards his major autumn targets in Sydney when he runs second-up in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas.

The 1600m race at Randwick will be China Sea’s second start of his campaign after a less-than-ideal return in the Hobartville Stakes, where he finished second-last over 1400m. The race was won by Randwick Guineas favourite, Broadsiding.

Trainer John Sargent is happy with the colt’s progression towards autumn, with bigger targets ahead over 2000m and 2400m.

“He just needed that run in the Hobartville, so he’ll improve from it and move on to the Tulloch Stakes and then the Derby,” Sargent said.

Sargent believes China Sea is stronger and bigger than last spring, where he impressed in longer distances. The gelding finished a close second in the Caulfield Classic (2000m) and third in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington.

Sargent hopes China Sea will improve with the extra distance, targeting the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) on March 29 at Rosehill and the Group 1 ATC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick the following week.

“His Hobartville run was too short for him, but as long as he’s hitting the line in the Randwick Guineas, we’ll be happy,” Sargent said.

Broadsiding, a three-time Group 1 winner, is the $1.60 favourite for the Randwick Guineas, while China Sea is a $51 chance.