A well-judged front-running ride by Dwayne Dunn has helped Top Me Up to a win over 1400m at Flemington.

The Hawkes Racing-trained Top Me Up drew barrier one in Saturday's The Melbourne Cup Carnival On Sale Handicap and Dunn was able to hold the lead on the $9 chance.

He was able to get a nice enough time of it in front which allowed him to hold off his rivals late to win by a length over King's Command ($19) with Sadaqa ($26) another short neck away third.

Dunn says 1300m is probably the right distance for Top Me Up but a good draw and nice run helped over the 1400m.

"A good barrier and a good run in transit was probably the difference between winning and losing," Dunn said.

Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes also said the 1400m was probably as far as Top Me Up wanted.

Top Me Up registered his fourth win from 24 starts with another five placings.

"He's been a model of consistency," Hawkes said.

"I said to one of the owners before the race, 'he's got his foot on the till'."