Manapine has passed his first staying test at Flemington to bring a potential Group One target closer to reality.
Next month's South Australian Derby is a race that is on the radar for trainer Nigel Blackiston with Manapine who outstayed his rivals in Saturday's Listed Galilee Series Final.
Manapine relished having blinkers back on and the $3 favourite responded in the straight when headed by Oncidium Ruler ($7.50) to win by a half neck.
All I Survey ($6) was another 2-3/4 lengths away third.
Manapine races in the colours of Arrowfield Stud and Blackiston said he would talk to the owners about running in the VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington on April 25 or going straight into the South Australian Derby.
"This was always the plan to come here and see where we measure up," Blackiston said.
Blackiston had Right Of Refusal finish second in the Galilee Series Final in 2011 before he won the St Leger and was then well beaten as favourite in the South Australian Derby when he had a sore foot.
Blackiston says Manapine is a similar horse and expects him to get better.
"I think he's 12 months away and is an exciting stayer in the making," he said.
"It was his first try at the distance today and he was strong on the line and hopefully he can go on to bigger and better things."
Dwayne Dunn had Manapine midfield in the run and sat patiently in the straight before urging the gelding to respond when the Mick Kent-trained Oncidium Ruler hit the front on his outside.
While the South Australian Derby is an option for Manapine, the Luke Oliver-trained Kansas Sunflower is on an Australasian Oaks path in Adelaide after her win in the Denis Walter Afternoons Trophy.