Denman cruised to his third straight victory in as many starts this preparation in the D'Urban Stakes at Caulfield and is now the long odds-on favourite to take out the Group One Australian Guineas.The handsome Lonhro colt was expected to win the Group Two 1400m event easily and did not let his legion of supporters down.Sent out $1.26 favourite on Saturday, Kerrin McEvoy took Denman straight to the front after a tardy getaway and he was never challenged, scoring by 3-1/4 lengths from Guru Bob ($

Denman cruised to his third straight victory in as many starts this preparation in the D'Urban Stakes at Caulfield and is now the long odds-on favourite to take out the Group One Australian Guineas.

The handsome Lonhro colt was expected to win the Group Two 1400m event easily and did not let his legion of supporters down.

Sent out $1.26 favourite on Saturday, Kerrin McEvoy took Denman straight to the front after a tardy getaway and he was never challenged, scoring by 3-1/4 lengths from Guru Bob ($31) with Most Immediate ($21) a short head away third.

"He was just laid back a bit at the barriers and missed it by three-quarters of a length," McEvoy said.

"He was able to overcome that and go forward into that nice spot.

"Peter (Snowden) has got him ticking along nicely. He's getting there and relaxing really well and we're looking forward to him getting to Flemington."

Already a winner of the Group One Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill last August, Denman took his record to nine wins from 11 starts and has firmed from $1.60 to $1.36 for the Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 6.

With Cox Plate winner So You Think out until the spring it seems hard to see him being beaten.

If there is a query it is the 1600m, a distance he failed at when seventh in the Caulfield Guineas last spring although he was trapped wide in a slowly-run affair on that occasion in a race dominated by the frontrunning Starspangledbanner.

"He's doing his job, he's got one more to go," Snowden said.

"It's important to get that box (the 1600m) ticked. It would just complete his career, being a sprinter-miler which is what we want to see."

Snowden said the Guineas might be a different race and Denman might not have to lead like he has done at his past two starts when the pace has been moderate.

"You can't afford to get back behind horses as he has a profile and you have to make sure he wins and to do that you have to go forward and stay out of trouble," he said.