Chris Waller took out the Listed Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) on Saturday at Flemington with his promising stayer Crystal Pegasus.
The imported gelding made it three wins in a row while stepping up to the 2600m journey for the first time.
The son of Australia started an odd-on favourite for jockey Jamie Kah, who gave the galloper a perfect ride.
Kah had her mount in fourth position, one off the fence, in what was a slowly run race early. On straightening, Kah took the gelding out into the clear and quickly pounced on the leaders before opening up to score by an impressive 5 lengths in front of second-favourite Tigertiger.
Waller stable representative Jo Taylor enjoyed watching the import win the race as comfortable as he did.
“It was quite an easy watch. He certainly did everything you like to see in a run like that,” she told Racing.com after the race.
The galloper could be in for a return to Sydney to compete in next month’s Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) after handling the step up in distance so impressively.
“He’s showed today that he can certainly stay a trip like this, and especially in these softer conditions,” Taylor responded after being asked about a possible start in the Sydney two-mile event.
“So I’m sure Chris will be keeping all these options open.”
Kah was pleased with the position she was able to slot her galloper in after some early manoeuvring.
“In the end, that was the ideal spot I wanted to be in,” she said
“He gave me a fantastic ride.
“He was absolutely cruising at the 1000, 800m.
“I felt like he had the race won on the turn, and he did. He was just absolutely electric when I let him go.”
Kah was also pleased with how the Flemington track felt after some heavy overnight rain.
“It feels fantastic out there,” she stated.
Crystal Pegasus is a $13 chance on Sportsbet to take out the Sydney Cup, to be run at Randwick on April 9.