Boom Time could have earned himself a crack at the rescheduled Sydney Cup with a front-running win in a staying race at Caulfield.
The David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained stayer led for most of Saturday's Robert Taranto Handicap (2425m).
Boom Time ($6) was full of running rounding the home turn under leading apprentice Beau Mertens and was strong to the line to beat De Little Engine by 2-1/4 lengths with $1.85 favourite Hans Holbein another short head away third.
Dabernig said entering Boom Time for next Saturday's rescheduled Group One Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick was an option.
"He's a tough, fit horse," Dabernig said.
"It's an $11,000 late entry into the Sydney Cup for next Saturday. It's got to be in by Monday so it's an option."
The Sydney Cup was declared a no-race at Randwick last Saturday because of concerns over horse and rider safety after Almoonqith, who was trained by the Hayes and Dabernig team, broke down and Who Shot Thebarman also came down and lost his rider.
Almoonqith had to be euthanised.