Lindsay Park is banking on a gamble to geld the potentially valuable colt Power Scheme at the end of his last preparation can land connections a Victoria Derby victory this spring after he scored an impressive first-up victory at The Valley on Saturday.
The Sun Bloodstock-bred-and-owned Power Scheme won the Listed Fernhill Stakes at Randwick as a juvenile colt and being a full brother to Australian Guineas runner-up Hawkshot, who sold for an estimated $2 million to Hong Kong in the autumn, he could have had a post-career chance as a stallion.
But co-trainer Ben Hayes said the unexpected first-up win proved the decision to geld the horse had been a good one.
"Definitely," he said. "He's come out and won today.
"He got gelded at the end of his prep and it's obviously been in his favour. We had a big opinion of Hawkshot and hopefully this guy's a bit better.
"It was a very good effort as he was first-up at 1500 (metres) and that suggests to me and screams out that he wants further and further.
"He's really exciting going forward."
WATCH: Power Scheme's win
Hayes was taking up the race-day media duties as his father David was in Sydney to watch son Will play for the Western Bulldogs in an elimination final against GWS.
Power Scheme ($7.50) was well handled by Mark Zahra as he ran down stablemate Conqueror ($4.60) in the home straight to win by half a length, with Skiddaw ($5.50) close up in third place.
Hayes said the spring path seemed clear for the son of Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente.
"We'll head on a Derby path," he said.
"We weren't expecting him to run like that. We thought he'd run a really good race and be hitting the line."
Fastnet Rock colt Conqueror could also make an impact this spring according to Hayes.
"We have an opinion of the second horse and I think he'll get out in trip as well," Hayes said.