Trent Busuttin said he was always confident Victoria Derby winner Sangster would be competitive in Group One company again after he easily won the International Stakes at Te Rapa.

Sangster won his first race since the 2011 Derby when he sprinted away in the straight to claim Saturday's 2000 metre, weight-for-age feature by 2-3/4 lengths from Dolmabache and Asavant.

Victoria Derby winners haven't always done much after claiming the Classic, but Busuttin says there are also many Derby winners and placegetters who haven't been harmed by the race.

"There was never anything wrong with him, but all you heard was about the VRC Derby. You see horses (that won or placed in the Derby) like Efficient, Octagonal, Tie The Knot, Diatribe, Lion Tamer.

"It produces Group One winners, but everybody just keeps knocking the race."

Busuttin said he was worried the track at Te Rapa was too strong but Sangster treated it like it was no issue, putting the race beyond doubt with 200m to run.

He now heads towards the Auckland Cup (3200m) on March 6 and will race in the Avondale Cup (2400m) on Sunday week as his last lead-up.

"This has been the only time he's been ready to go, primed to win," Busuttin said.

"We were mindful of getting into the Auckland Cup with a winning weight and we've done that, but this time he was ready to go."

Dolmabache stayed on well for second ahead of Asavant.