Trainer James Cummings is aiming high with Gauguin after the colt's convincing maiden win at Warwick Farm.

While the road is long, the three-year-old colt took the first steps on a path to Group One races which could mimic Cummings' father Anthony's effort with Montaigne last year.

"We'll set him for the Rosehill Guineas and the BMW and we'll lower our sights after that," Cummings said.

"As we're getting closer to the autumn these three-year-old races with lightly raced horses are revealing some promising horses."

Anthony Cummings trained Montaigne to win the corresponding maiden at Warwick Farm last year, the start of a preparation which included a runner-up Guineas finish and a fourth in the BMW.

Montaigne was sold to Hong Kong owners after the autumn carnival and has since won a race for trainer John Moore.

On Wednesday, Gauguin was made to earn in his stripes in the three-year-old maiden handicap over 1400m, sitting three-quarters of a length outside leader Metamorphic ($2.80) and kicking home strongly to fight off a late challenge from Dahooil ($6).

Gauguin justified his $2.50 favouritism while Metamorphic stuck on for third.

Jockey Glyn Schofield said Gauguin was still learning but had a lot of ability.

"Once he's learned to run straight and gets a little more tractable he's got a nice future," Schofield said.