Desert Lightning has taken three runs to break his Australian winning duck but the Group 1 winner in New Zealand could be in line to snare one at the highest level at Caulfield next start in the Toorak Handicap.

The five-year-old did just what co-trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman wanted to see in his win in the Group 3 Sandown Stakes (1500m) with a step up to the mile in the $1 million 1600-metre handicap on Caulfield Guineas Day firmly in mind.

“He’s a bit of a quirky old boy though and he’s taken a little while to settle in but now he has, he’s been doing everything right and been really pleasing.”

Desert Lightning ($5) won the Group 1 TAB Classic (1600m) at Trentham in December 2023. A last start third-placing in the Listed Chautauqua Stakes (1200m) has set the gelding up towards what could be Peter Moody’s first win in the Toorak Handicap.

“It was really nice to see him take that improvement from the first up run, Coleman said.

“We still think he’s got a little bit more there to come, which is really, really exciting.

“So, look, he’ll head towards the Toorak now providing he takes the improvement that we think he’s got to come, and that’s a really exciting prospect.

Desert Lightning is rated a $21 chance with betting sites for the Toorak Handicap with recently impressive winner Another Wil

“He just looks like the mile is really his sweet spot, Coleman added. “1400 to 1600 metres looks like the ideal trip for him.”

Luke Nolen took Desert Lightning to the lead at the top of the Sandown straight while race favourite Craig ($2.60) was at the rear of the field but rattled to the line to miss by one-length.

Jockey Jamie Mott said that Craig did not have the speed to go with the pace set soon after the start.