Trainer Mick Kent will consider a trip to Queensland for the Winter Carnival following the debut win of Steel Run at Caulfield Heath.
Having his first start in the Sportsbet Set A Deposit Limit Plate (1600m) on Wednesday, Steel Run needed every metre of that trip to score.
Outsprinted approaching the hometurn, Steel Run ($9.50) under Ethan Brown, wore down the $1.85 favourite Inexorable to score by a half-neck with Mohnar ($6) three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
Kent said he had always held a healthy opinion of Steel Run, saying he is a stayer through-and-through.
Steel Run is a half-brother to Northern Barrage who progressed through the Galilee Series for staying three-year-olds last season, eventually running ninth in the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville.
Kent said he would look to starting Steel Run in a heat of the Mahogany Series over 2000m at Caulfield on May 4.
If Steel run performs well, a trip to Brisbane for the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm may then come under consideration.
“There’s a heap of 2000-metre three-year-old races through winter,” Kent said.
“There’s a really good program for three-year-olds at a trip at this time of year and even Queensland could be on the radar if he improves a bit.
“We’ll go to a 2000-metre three-year-old race next start and see where we get to.
“There’s so much good prize money here and nearly every Saturday there’s a 2000-metre three-year-old race, right the way through winter, and I think he’ll handle the wet no worries.”
Kent entered Wednesday’s race with high hopes for Steel Run and praised track staff for their presentation of Caulfield Heath.
“When I walked the track, it was much firmer than last time, so I was always expecting good speed,” Kent said.
“He got caught out a bit when they sprinted and they dropped him, but he got home like a horse wanting 10 furlongs.
“I have to say kudos to Jason Kerr. He rose that straight by a metre which probably helped us late as he needed all the straight to get there.”