Exiting and still unbeaten Wood Nook Farm owned Light Fantastic has kept his untarnished record intact.

Light Fantastic, a winner of all four starts in the autumn, stepped up another level with a superb win over the 1400m journey first-up.

Ridden by Craig Newitt, he stalked Weekend Hussler throughout in midfield but came inside rounding the bend.

He not only drew level to Weekend Hussler who was knuckling down on the outside but went past and reigned in Maldivian, who drew to the lead and fought on well.

 

Light Fantastic won a Kyneton maiden at his debut run before taking all before him at his next three starts, including the Group 1 Cadbury Guineas at his final start of the autumn.

But today's success was his first try against the older horses and he looks set for a top spring, primarily aimed at the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.

“It was a solid run, without a trial,” trainer Mick Price said. “I would have been happy if he had gotten beaten today as it's the first of a five run campaign. We're just focused on the Cox Plate but it's a very exciting first-up run.”

Price won the Liston two years ago with another North East bred in Pompeii Ruler and had hoped to win his first Cox Plate later that spring and almost did, the talented galloper finishing a narrow third in the weight-for-age championship.

There's little doubt Price, who is adamant he needs to win the Plate to elevate his status as a trainer, has been kind on Light Fantastic with the grand final ahead adding merit to his win.

The build-up to the race between Light Fantastic and Weekend Hussler as they met for the first time promises to continue through most of the weight-for-age features in the coming weeks but the underdog has drawn first blood.