Trainer Robbie Griffiths has earmarked the Goodwood Handicap as the Group One target for promising sprinter Beltrois after he posted his first feature win in the Listed LT Cleary Stakes at Caulfield.Backing up from a long neck second to Royal Ida in the Group Three Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on New Year's Day, Beltrois snatched victory on the line from Going Spending and Miss Matari on Saturday.The win was a special thrill for Griffiths as the race was named after his mentor and vet

Trainer Robbie Griffiths has earmarked the Goodwood Handicap as the Group One target for promising sprinter Beltrois after he posted his first feature win in the Listed LT Cleary Stakes at Caulfield.

Backing up from a long neck second to Royal Ida in the Group Three Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on New Year's Day, Beltrois snatched victory on the line from Going Spending and Miss Matari on Saturday.

The win was a special thrill for Griffiths as the race was named after his mentor and veteran Cranbourne trainer Laurie Cleary who died on Christmas Day.

Beltrois ($3.50 fav) was also part of Griffiths' first-ever city treble and the first city winner for jockey Luke Currie since returning from a riding stint in Mauritius four months ago.

Currie also won the John Moule Handicap (1400m) on the Griffiths-trained Rainband ($26) while Griffiths' other winner was Its Prince ($3.80) who was ridden by apprentice Nathan Rose in the Ian Miller Handicap (1600m).

Griffiths said the plan was to spell Beltrois after the Standish but he pulled up so well he decided to back him up and try to win a stakes race.

"It was a bit of a query with the heat today because he is such a free-sweater but he had such a good week we couldn't see any reason not to run him," Griffiths said.

Beltrois may have his summer campaign extended but Griffiths is mindful that going too long could jeopardise a crack at the Goodwood Handicap (1200m) at Morphettville in May.

Last year the Goodwood was run for the first time under weight-for-age conditions and won by Takeover Target.

"Whether we are going to get some races like that in there this year it is hard to say but I would like to head in that direction anyway," Griffiths said.

Beltrois has won five of his 12 starts, including twice in four starts this campaign.

He has been ridden back in his races with great effect but Griffiths had a hunch that being near the pace would be an advantage on Saturday and instructed Currie to take a prominent position early.

Currie obliged and Beltrois, who settled fourth, attacked the line strongly to beat Going Spending by a half-head.

Griffiths believes it may be just the start of an exciting career for the Bel Esprit gelding.

"He is bit untapped because he is a progressive young horse," Griffiths said.

"He's still growing. He is very tall and hasn't fully furnished in the body yet."

Griffiths said Its Prince would be aimed at the country Cups in the autumn after he led all the way to win his sixth race in 33 starts.

He paid tribute to Currie who used his initiative to lead all the way on Rainband who last start had settled near last at Moonee Valley.

"It wasn't the instructions (to lead) but Luke had the horse flowing beautifully in front and it paid dividends," Griffiths said.