Ability signalled he could be a contender in feature races in the spring with victory in Sunday's Group III Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Sandown Lakeside.
A slightly tardy start meant Ability was at the rear passing halfway on the track downgraded to heavy (8).
Once eased out wider in the home straight Ability ($5) let down powerfully and just as Lankan Rupee ($4.40 fav) was being hailed the winner it was Ability who quickened best to score by a neck, the first two pulling 3 1/2-lengths clear of their rivals, headed by Duke Of Brunswick ($5.50).
Dwayne Dunn said the Robert Smerdon-trained Ability was not entirely happy in the ground.
"He didn't step that well and I was in a bit of trouble early. He floundered in the going and dipped at the 600(m) but once he got out wider in the straight he really took off," Dunn said.
"He's the new kid on the block and he went into the race with good fitness and you needed that on this surface, maybe if Lankan Rupee had one more run he might of given us a little bit more of a challenge."
Ability is unbeaten since being gelded and the son of Reward For Effort has progressed from winning a BM78 handicap to weight-for-age in four starts.
Dunn said the five-year-old is well placed heading into the spring.
"These are the same sort of horses that are going to be around for the next month or so and the Everest will suck horses like Chautauqua and Fell Swoop to Sydney," Dunn said.
"He's the new kid on the block and he ticked a lot of boxes today.
"We've always had a big opinion of this horse and the gelding operation unfortunately had to be done but it's turned him into a racehorse instead of a horse that was never going to live up his potential."
Craig Newitt was delighted with the effort of Lankan Rupee.
"It was a super run, really happy with him," Newitt said, "He gave me a really good kick at the 300(m) and he was pretty good through the line.
"His condition only gave out late and he was beaten by a horse that's rock hard fit."
