A midweek race at Sandown will determine whether Galaxy Raider has the ability his trainer thinks he has to follow a path to the Australian Guineas.

Greg Eurell is upbeat the three-year-old can take another step towards that Group One goal when he lines up for the second time at Sandown in Wednesday's Ladbrokes Bet Better Handicap.

Galaxy Raider impressed Eurell when he came from back in the field to sprint to victory on debut at Sandown in a 1200m maiden on January 13.

"The Australian Guineas is certainly a direction we'd like to head in," Eurell said.

"To do what he did first-up is very indicative that he's got above average ability so you'd hate to miss out on a race of that calibre if you're going well enough to be in it."

Eurell said Wednesday's race was an ideal step for Galaxy Raider.

"He's in his right grade and hopefully from this what we'd like to do if he ticks all the boxes on Wednesday, is then head to the CS Hayes Stakes," Eurell said.

Eurell said he had always had a big opinion of Galaxy Raider and had the impression he had more to offer.

"I thought he would run very well first-up but I must admit he did surprise me at what he did show," Eurell said.

Wednesday's field includes fellow Sandown debut winner Popovich while Robbie Griffiths has entered Geoff who was third in the Inglis Dash at Flemington behind Hellbent and Mossin' Around last start.

"It's not a weak race by any means but I think it will be another stepping stone and give us a good indication of what we've got," Eurell said.

Eurell won the Australian Guineas with Apache Cat in 2006.

He says good horses have an "X-factor of confidence" in how they go about their tasks.

"This horse ticks a lot of boxes," he said.

"He's got a long way to go, but he gives you confidence to think that he can step up. Whether he'll get to Group One quality, we're yet to find out.

"But he's got all the right ingredients to head in that direction."