The extra distance did the trick for Bajan Gold on Sunday and as trainer Cody Morgan said: "it took every bit" of the 1600m.
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The gelding's last two runs had been at 1400m - where he finished 12th and 8th - before stepping up in distance for the Mannion Drilling Gunnedah Showcase Cup.
"It wouldn't have wanted to be 1580m because he probably would have run a nice third," Morgan said.
"He was just hammering home that last bit and it was really special to get the win."
Morgan said Bajan Gold would now be looking for a step up in distance again.
"He's a horse that probably wants close to 2000m to be at his best," Morgan said.
"He'll head up to North Queensland for the cups up there at Mackay, Townsville, Cairns. They're races that we've gone up to with different horses and done well."