Sheer Madness went some way towards justifying a tall home reputation with victory in Saturday's Raymond Ali Handicap (1400m) at Flemington.
Settled fifth before travelling three-deep as Mulk set a moderate pace through the early stages, Sheer Madness was brought out into the centre of the track by Ethan Brown in the home straight.
Quickening into the lead 175m out, Sheer Madness ($5.50 - $8.50) stayed on strongly to hold the late rally from Confluence ($5.50 - $4.60) and score by three-quarters of a length with Kedleston ($14) a nose away third.
Trainer John Salanitri thought enough of Sheer Madness to start him in the Group I Blue Diamond Stakes and stable manager Frank Salanitri said the gelding is still learning how to race.
"He did a good job to win that after racing three-deep without cover for a bit," Salanitri said. "It wasn't Ethan's fault, it was just the way the race panned out,
"It was actually the best place to be as he's a horse that needs to keep rolling and have room to build momentum,"
Sheer Madness is by Moshe, a brother to Black Caviar, yet Salanitri believes the gelding will be better over longer distances.
"He's always shown us ability but the penny hasn't dropped yet," Salanitri said.
"He's an exciting horse, we'll probably have a go at the Caulfield Guineas but ideally I think he's a Derby horse.
"We'll give him a little time off and then look at coming back for the Guineas Prelude."
It was the first Flemington win for three kilo claiming apprentice Brown.
"It's a great thrill to get my first Flemington winner and he's an exciting horse," Brown said.
"I think he's looking for a bit more ground and he's still very raw - he did a big job to win today."
Nistaan firmed from $5.50 to start the $4.60 favourite but never looked like winning, beating just one home.
