Trainer John O'Shea is aiming Lightinthenite at next year's Caulfield Cup after the gelding snared his first black-type race win on Saturday.

The five-year-old, a $2.60 favourite, defeated Bagman by a half neck in the Group Three David Jones Cup (2000m) at Caulfield with Extra Zero third.

Lightinthenite backed-up perfectly from his last-start fourth in the Group One Epsom Handicap at Randwick earlier this month.

O'Shea said the Caulfield Cup would be his long-term goal after his impressive performance.

"It's a nice start for him at a bit of a trip and he's met the challenge," O'Shea said.

"He's got a lot of ones (wins) next to his name and we'd love to be back here this time next year and hopefully running in the major event."

Lightinthenite's next task, however, will be on Melbourne Cup day when he lines up in the Listed Melbourne Cup Day Plate (1800m).

"We'll give him an opportunity for another win and then give consideration to backing him up in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on the last day," O'Shea said.

French stayer Prairie Star finished fourth as topweight with 59kg and trainer Danny O'Brien hinted he might take a different approach with the horse.

"I've been a bit kind to him since he's been here," O'Brien said.