The build-up trainer Mick Price planned for Dany The Fox has come together perfectly - all that remains is to deliver the final blow.
Price constructed a long-range program aimed at building Dany The Fox's rating to a level that would gain him entry into Victoria's rich country cups circuit with the penultimate step Saturday's TAB.com.au Handicap (1400m).
Dany The Fox ($2 fav) did his bit by winning the Flemington race and will now move onto the main event, the $200,000 Kilmore Cup (1600m) on Sunday week.
"From the time he came into work we've been working on getting his rating up to where it will be after today," Price said.
"That will get him into the Kilmore Cup. It looks a good race for him, the distance suits and he'll get in with a nice weight.
Dany The Fox had control of the race from the jump, dashed clear 200m out and held off Cosmic Causeway ($5) to win by short neck.
Audino ($101) took third, a further 2-3/4 lengths away.
While Dany The Fox is on the way to his autumn goal, Price's star filly Samaready has again suffered an injury that may bring yet another preparation undone.
Price said Samaready had pulled a muscle in her lower back and was resting before a possible Sydney campaign is assessed.
"It happened in a jump out at Caulfield last week," Price said.
"It's not a major injury and there's a good chance she'll be OK for Sydney."
The Blue Diamond winner's spring campaign ended after one run when she came down with a virus.