Jockey Stathi Katsidis declared Toowoomba speed machine Azzaland a worthy contender for the Group One The Galaxy in Sydney following the gelding's record breaking win at Eagle Farm.Azzaland chased early leader Monashee Dancer until well into the straight before collaring his rival to score by 1-1/4 lengths in Saturday's Sponsorship@BRC Handicap (1000m).Katsidis credited Monashee Dancer for helping Azzaland set a track record 55.99 seconds, shaving .01s off the previous mark by Noble Gent at the

Jockey Stathi Katsidis declared Toowoomba speed machine Azzaland a worthy contender for the Group One The Galaxy in Sydney following the gelding's record breaking win at Eagle Farm.

Azzaland chased early leader Monashee Dancer until well into the straight before collaring his rival to score by 1-1/4 lengths in Saturday's Sponsorship@BRC Handicap (1000m).

Katsidis credited Monashee Dancer for helping Azzaland set a track record 55.99 seconds, shaving .01s off the previous mark by Noble Gent at the corresponding meeting five years ago.

"Monashee Dancer really slipped along from the 500 metres to the 300 metres which probably set the race up for a track record," Katsidis said.

Katsidis conceded he had some concerns when Monashee Dancer kept up his hectic pace until 75 metres from the winning post when Azzaland finally exerted his superiority.

"I was a little worried when the leader slipped away on the home turn and I was still concerned with 100 metres to go," Katsidis said.

"I didn't think Monashee Dancer would sustain what he did for so long."

Trainer Ritchie Stephenson rarely ventures interstate with his horses but such was Azzaland's dominance he has given the go ahead for a trip to Sydney.

Stephenson has selected the Listed Schweppervescence (1100m) at Rosehill on March 20 for Azzaland which will determine if he stays for the Group One Galaxy (1100m) at Randwick in April.

"There's a two metropolitan win race coming up here in two weeks and I'll probably start him in that first," Stephenson said.

"Then I'll take him to Sydney for the Rosehill race and the Galaxy if he runs well."

Katsidis backed Stephenson's decision to send the five-year-old to Sydney.

"He deserves his chance in something bigger like the Galaxy," Katsidis said.

"It's Group One and will be a lot harder but it's worth sending him down for it."

Azzaland's victory was no great surprise as he easily lived up to his form behind Burdekin Blues and Chakvetadze.

Azzaland was runner-up to Burdekin Blues at his pervious start in the Bat Out Of Hell (900m) at the Gold Coast on January 2 which followed a similar placing behind Chakvetadze over 1010 metres at Doomben last month.

"He's been beaten by two very good horses at his last two runs in Burdekin Blues and Chakvetadze," Stephenson said.

"This was only his third run back and on his day I think he could beat Burdekin Blues."

Burdekin Blues is finally booked on a flight to Melbourne next Wednesday for the Group One Lightning Stakes (1000m) down the Flemington straight on Saturday.

Unlike Katsidis, Stephenson never doubted Azzaland would overhaul Monashee Dancer in the straight.

"I was never that worried, he was winding up well in the straight," he said.