An easy win at a provincial meeting last month has transformed Cruze into a genuine chance of winning a stakes race this winter.

Cruze ($5) made it three wins and a second from his past four starts when he beat Snitch ($21) by a short half-head at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Trainer Barry Lockwood has long held a big opinion of Cruze but the gelding wasn't backing it up on race day.

“Then we took him to the Gold Coast last month and he won a very weak 1800m race there,” Lockwood said.

“But I reckon something clicked and he thought, so this is what it all about.”

“He is a different horse now and I think there are better races for him. I think the (Listed) The Glasshouse at the end of next month will suit him.”