Michael Walker was planning on having Saturday off but was glad he didn't after winning the Listed Ansett Classic on Crafty Cruiser at Mornington.

Walker ventured to Mornington for one ride in the $120,000 race and came away victorious after Crafty Cruiser ($13) enjoyed a nice run behind the leader before getting into the clear in the straight and sprinting past his rivals.

He defeated odds-on favourite Surpass ($1.95) by a long neck with Anagold ($10) another three-quarters of a length away third.

"I was going to have today off obviously with the late night last night (at Moonee Valley)," Walker said.

"But when he rang for the ride I said `yes' because I've always actually wanted to get on this horse.

"I just thought I would suit him, and he won well."

Trainer Bryce Stanaway said Crafty Cruiser would back up in Saturday week's Listed Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington.

Crafty Cruiser, who was coming off a last-start second to Gotta Take Care at Moonee Valley over 2500m, notched the sixth win of his 56-start career and his first success at Listed level.

Stanaway believes the six-year-old gelding should have won more than six races as he's been runner-up 12 times.

"He's been unlucky a few times. He could have had another five or six wins by his name very easily," he said.

Walker had Crafty Cruiser in the box seat by the time they passed the winning post the first time and he enjoyed a good run to the home turn.

On straightening, Crafty Cruiser got to the outside of Surpass and Walker said he waited for the right time to let Crafty Cruiser go.

"I was going to get there too early so I sat again and then I let him go," Walker said.

"He actually did it quite easily."

Jockey Nick Hall wasn't disappointed with the effort of Surpass but said his first attempt at the distance might have found him out at the finish.