A distance rise has secured victory for local galloper Setinum in the Bendigo Guineas on Saturday.

Setinum was set a rushed program to contest the Guineas, backing up from a last-start fourth behind Pittsburgh Flyer at Flemington over 1100m last Saturday.

It followed a disappointing performance at Caulfield in the Zeditave Stakes.

Ridden by Jake Noonan, Setinum ($21) charged home to score by a head from South Australian visitor Eclair Choice ($9) with the favourite Java ($4) a length away third.

"Everything went wrong at Caulfield and he had to trial before he ran at Flemington," trainer Shane Fliedner said.

"He ran an unbelievable sectional at Flemington last week and I knew the extra ground would suit, but I was worried about backing him here today."

Fliedner said the gelding would be better suited with another step up in distance.

"He'll be a nice horse when he gets up to a mile," Fliedner said.

"There's a couple of options over in Adelaide that could be suitable, but we'll get him home and see how he comes through this first."

Noonan says the lightly raced galloper is still learning.

"He's a middle-distance horse in the making," he said.

"He's still a work in progress but I'm sure he'll get there."