Amaethon and Pago Rock are on a collision course to the Group Three Victoria Handicap after impressive wins at Caulfield.Amaethon looked a beaten horse at the 100 metres but rallied to snatch a last-stride victory in the Thoroughbred Club Cup (1200m) while Pago Rock was just as convincing when landing the Sky High Mt Dandenong Hcp (1400m).Amaethon is a half-brother to the ill-fated Golden Slipper winner and stablemate Crystal Lily and looks ready to stamp himself as a genuine stakes performer.La

Amaethon and Pago Rock are on a collision course to the Group Three Victoria Handicap after impressive wins at Caulfield.

Amaethon looked a beaten horse at the 100 metres but rallied to snatch a last-stride victory in the Thoroughbred Club Cup (1200m) while Pago Rock was just as convincing when landing the Sky High Mt Dandenong Hcp (1400m).

Amaethon is a half-brother to the ill-fated Golden Slipper winner and stablemate Crystal Lily and looks ready to stamp himself as a genuine stakes performer.

Last spring he won the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield and notably has been at his best when fresh.

A big run was again expected from him first-up on Saturday and he impressed jockey Chris Symons with the way he lifted under pressure to score a short head win over the Mick Price-trained Stratcombe, who railed to a clear lead in the straight.

"I thought we were going to run a nice second but the last 100 metres he (Amaethon) really knuckled down to the job and got it done," Symons said.

Symons said that Amaethon's temperament had improved with age which was now being seen in his performances.

Mathew Ellerton who co-trains with Simon Zahra, said the $125,000 Victoria Handicap (1400m) in two weeks at Caulfield was an appealing option as Amaethon was now getting too much weight in normal Saturday handicaps.

"He's got to take another step now or he is hard to place," Ellerton said.

He was particularly encouraged with Amaethon's effort to carry 59kg and run 1:8.77 for the 1200 metres.

"You have to be pretty good to do that," Ellerton said.

Having his first start on his home track at Caulfield, Pago Rock posted his seventh win in 11 career starts.

Formerly trained in Western Australia by Frank Maynard, the Rock Of Gibraltar four-year-old hasn't finish further back than second in seven starts for Peter Moody, winning five of them.

Ridden by three-kilogram claiming apprentice Jake Duffy, Pago Rock ($2.80 fav) showed a dazzling turn of foot over the last 200 metres to score by a long neck from Agrippa ($6) with Luck San ($2.90) a short head away third.

His biggest test yet will be the Victoria Handicap and he is also nominated for the Group One $2 million Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 21.

Moody was at Rosehill on Saturday when Australian Cup winner Manighar made it successive Group One wins in the Ranvet Stakes (2000m).

Duffy said Pago Rock travelled kindly for him on Saturday but was mindful of timing his run.

"It was just a matter of being patient because he has got to the front a few times and just wanted to wait for the others," Duffy said after posting his 14th metropolitan win.

"Everything fell into place and he hit the line really well."