Consistent stayer Lucripetous may have earned himself a shot at the Newcastle Gold Cup with his determined Warwick Farm victory on Saturday.
The five-year-old, who struggled to find the winner's stall early in his career, posted his second win in succession when he outgunned his rivals in the Comfort Inn Hunts Liverpool Handicap (2200m).
The Chris Waller-trained gelding defied a betting ring drift from $3.60 to $4.80, hitting the front rounding the home turn and fighting off the challengers to deny favourite Travolta by three-quarters of a length.
"They had their chance and he's outstayed them," Waller said.
"There's not much difference between a Group stayer and a Saturday stayer.
"I thought about that race in Melbourne for him, the Lavazza, but he probably won't get enough weight.
"Maybe we'll look at the Newcastle Cup."
The Group Three Newcastle Cup (2300m) is on September 19.
Waller made it a race-to-race double at Warwick Farm when former New Zealand mare Acapela finished hard down the outside to post her first Australian win in the Panucci Transport Handicap (1600m).
"She does it the hard way but today's race worked out beautifully for her," Waller said.
"The owners have taken a punt to send her over here and it has been worthwhile."