Chris Waller is taking a measured approach with promising import Wootton Verni, confident the gelding will develop into a Melbourne Cup contender in time.

For now, the champion trainer is content to target Saturday’s lucrative Rosehill Gold Cup, which this year shifts to Randwick.

The Northern Hemisphere four-year-old will aim for consecutive wins after his breakthrough victory in the Coongy Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on October 15.

“There are 750,000 reasons why,” Waller quipped when asked about sending the gelding back to Sydney. “He’s found form, but he’s still a year away from Melbourne Cups and things like that.”

Wootton Verni, now a six-time winner from 15 starts, will again tackle 2000 metres under James McDonald after Damian Lane guided him to his last win.

He heads Waller’s four-strong Rosehill Gold Cup team as the $3 favourite, joined by Imperialist, Mutasalem and Scarlet Oak.