Search Squad's maiden city win at Sandown came a week later than his trainer Doug Harrison planned.

Harrison ran Search Squad at Caulfield last Saturday to see if the gelding was worth taking to Adelaide for the Group Two Euclase Stakes on Saturday week.

However, the race gave Harrison little indication of Search Squad's ability as the three-year-old was unable to find a clear run when down the course behind The Quarterback.

"He just didn't get a crack at them at all," Harrison said.

Harrison got a better result when he backed Search Squad up in the New Zealand Bloodstock Handicap (1300m) at Sandown on Saturday.

Jockey Ibrahim Gundogdu was able to get Search Squad into a comfortable position behind the leaders but the horse took time to hit his top.

Harrison admitted to a few concerns before Search Squad ($11) knuckled down in the last 150m to beat Self Sense ($13) by a neck.

Tankster ($18) ran home well from back in the field to grab third for Cranbourne trainer Ray Cleaver.

"At the 300 (metres), I thought he was going to take a while to wind up into it but then he let go really well," Harrison said.

Harrison said he would assess Search Squad before deciding whether to take the sprinter to Adelaide but was mindful the Euclase Stakes would be the horse's third run in a fortnight.

"It might be a little bit of an ask," Harrison said.