The Victoria Derby is the long-term plan for Savvy Nature after he careered away to an easy win in the Group Three Spring Stakes at Newcastle on Wednesday.
Ridden by James McDonald, Savvy Nature came from worse than midfield to stride to a 1-1/2 length victory over Wordplay with Happy Clapper a further short half-head away third.
The John O'Shea-trained gelding will now go to the Group Three Gloaming Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday week before a tilt at the Group One Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on October 12.
Savvy Nature's lead-up to the Spring Stakes wasn't without drama.
He threw a scare into the O'Shea stable on Monday when he fell from a horse walker, although no serious damage was done.
"He knocked some bark off his wither but he was fine and we weren't worried about it," O'Shea said.
"He has been a nice horse all along and has always had a good turn of foot and he showed that at the end of the mile today.
"James (McDonald) probably got a little eager by going to the lead early on him but he did pick them up easily.
"Hopefully he will get the 2000 metres of the Spring Champion Stakes then I would love to get him to Flemington over a mile and a half.
"I think he will make a Derby horse."
McDonald said the fact that Savvy Nature got to the lead early in the straight did not worry him.
"It was like a real good gallop to him and I don't think the 2000 metres will worry him," McDonald said.
"He switches off and relaxes."