Queensland galloper Eskimo Dan may head west for the Perth Cup (2400m) after winning the $100,750 G3 Betfair Eclipse Stakes (2100m) at Sandown on Saturday.
Eskimo Dan ($4.20 favourite) gave jockey Craig Williams a treble by winning the final black-type race of Melbourne's spring carnival in a thrilling three-way finish from Instructor ($5) and Sentire ($6).
Eskimo Dan settled fifth in the eight-horse field and made his run along with Instructor and Sentire.
After Sentire weakened shortly after the 100m mark, Eskimo Dan outlasted Instructor to win by a short head.
Richard Laming, son of trainer Bevan Laming, said the stable picked out the Eclipse Stakes after Eskimo Dan jarred up when fifth in the Cranbourne Cup and missed the main part of the carnival.
"We freshened him up and we looked at this race a while ago, set him for it and it's paid off," he said.
Laming said the six-year-old could head west for the Perth Cup (2400m) on January 1 or be reserved for the Hobart and Launceston Cups in Tasmania next year.
Jockey Craig Williams picked up the mount from Danny Brereton, who rode the horse last Saturday but was unable to make the 54kg for the Eclipse.
Williams, who also rode Sentire to second in the Ballarat Cup on Wednesday, will head to Japan on December 4 to defend his title in the World Super Jockey Series.
He will then head to Ukraine with his wife for an early Christmas holiday.
Trainer John Sadler was pleased with Instructor's run but was undecided when the horse, which has had three starts in as many weeks, would race next.
Trainer Robbie Laing said Sentire lacked the 'vim and vigour' he showed earlier in the week and would head for a spell.
"He loomed to win but just one-batted. He tried hard but the zip wasn't there," Laing said.