An impressive win at Flemington on Derby Day has stamped Mahuta as a potential Australian Guineas horse in the autumn.

The Darren Weir trained three-year-old sat on the speed before taking over early in the straight to win the Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) on Saturday.

The Group Three race has been won by numerous good horses over the past 20 years from Saintly in 1995 to Al Maher in 2004 and Kermadec last year.

Ridden by Brad Rawiller, Mahuta ($7) scored by a neck from Patch Adams ($26) with Bassett ($3.40 fav) a short half-head away third.

"He could be some sort of chance with this preparation under his belt," Rawiller said of an Australian Guineas preparation.

"He's progressing the right way but he's probably going to have to step it up again.

"It might be worth aiming for and I'm sure Darren (Weir) will be looking into that."

Mahuta progressed from a Kyneton maiden win earlier in the month to a Listed win on Caulfield Cup day before adding Saturday's Carbine Club Stakes.

Rawiller was most impressed by Mahuta's ability to switch off and show a good turn of foot when required.

"He was terrific today with him taking the sit," Rawiller said.

"He switched right off but I had to make a pretty decisive move early."

Daniel Stackhouse said the favourite Bassett performed well but felt the son of Savabeel didn't run out a strong mile.