A shining light among a family riddled with unsoundness emerged at Sandown on Wednesday with a performance that could take him about as far as a horse can go in Australia.

Kerthos, an impressive winner of the Catanach's Jewellers Handicap (1400m), could make the trip from Melbourne to Darwin for the Northern Territory's biggest racing carnival.

Trainer Mark Riley said Kerthos possessed some of the unfortunate traits of his brothers and sisters, the difference being a large dose of ability.

"Everything out of the mare's been a cripple and this bloke has been sore nearly every day we've had him," Riley said.

"He's been so soft and immature and he's still got a long way to go to make a horse."

Kerthos ($6.50) overcame a slow start to pounce on the lead inside the final 100m and score by three-quarters-of-a-length.

Sino Eagle ($5.50) took second 1-1/2 lengths ahead of Shoreham ($6).

Kerthos is owned by his Darwin-based breeder Nick Tefanis who won praise from Riley for his patience.

"He's been fantastic with me through all the little troubles with this horse," he said.

"We've had him X-rayed from top to toe and we can't find anything wrong and Nick has just waited for him to come good."

Tefanis' reward has been two wins from two starts and the owner is now contemplating a possible trip north for the Darwin Guineas in July.

For Riley the win added to a season that is already his best as a trainer.