A trip to Queensland is the likely reward for Top Of The Range following his gritty victory in Monday's Chef's Hat South Melbourne Handicap (1600m) at Sandown Lakeside.
Trainer Mike Moroney said a trip north is likely after Top Of The Range ($9.50) held off several challengers in the home straight to edge Netherfield ($8) by a short half head with Macattack ($11) a head away third.
"We've always thought a lot of him and we've thought about some of the races in Queensland over the winter," Moroney said.
"The trip away from home might just make him as a horse too. He needs to grow up quickly if he's going to be able to take on the older horses.
"It's something we've done with a few of ours recently - Tivaci the latest one and I think this horse will be doing the same thing.
"I'd think a race like the Queensland Derby would suit him."
Top Of The Range suffered from atrial fibrillation on debut last year and took some time to recover and was subsequently gelded. A stylish first-up win at Pakenham on March 23 confirmed to Moroney Top Of The Range was ready for the city.
"He's missed a fair bit of time due to those things but he looks like he's worth the wait," Moroney said.
"He looked to be off the bit early in the straight but he's bred to go further and he's still learning his craft.
"His manners have let him down a bit but he's improving those."
Patrick Moloney said the three-year-old son of Savabeel was open to further improvement.
"When we loomed up to them he just took a little bit of time to go through his gears but he was good late," Moloney said.
"He's a very immature horse, physically he's there but mentally he's still got a lot of growing up to do.
"He's a horse that finds under pressure and he did that really well."
By Savabeel
out of Spiriting (Montjeu), Top Of The Range was a $250,000 purchase by Dean
Hawthorne Bloodstock from the Blandford Lodge draft at the NZB Premier Yearling
Sale.
