The South Australian Derby in Adelaide and WATC Derby in Perth are considerations for the Lindsey Smith-trained Adelaide Ace later this season after a win in the Autumn Classic.
Adelaide Ace was sent out the $2.50 favourite and controlled Saturday's Group Two Autumn Classic (1800m) for three-year-olds at Caulfield from the front under jockey John Allen.
Nonconformist ($5.50), who sat just off the leader to his outside, tried to peg him back in the straight but Adelaide Ace scored by 1-1/4 lengths with another three lengths to third-placed Legion Of Merit.
"The second horse was quite determined to pick him up," Smith said.
"He drifted out up the straight but the margin was too great.
"It was a good win. The gap back to the third horse always looks a good sign.
"The race was run to suit him. He had them boxed up and it was only really a sprint home the last 600 metres."
Adelaide Ace was on a Victoria Derby path last spring after winning the Derby Trial at Flemington in September but he never made it to the Classic because of shin soreness.
Smith said he would now consider his autumn plans for the gelding, with the Group Two WATC Derby (2400m) on April 11 and Group One SA Derby (2500m) the following month as options.
"We'll have a look tonight and see what he does," Smith said.
VRC Oaks winner Miami Bound disappointed first-up, beaten over six lengths in eighth.
"I thought it was pretty plain but having said that she has run an average race here at Caulfield before," trainer Danny O'Brien said.
"We've been very happy with her going into but she looked today like she was looking for 2400 metres already."
O'Brien said the plan remains for Miami Bound to run in the Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) next before heading to Sydney for Group One targets.
Australian Associated Press
