An old ploy trainer Bevan Laming used prior to St Basil's Stradbroke Handicap victory four years ago paid off handsomely when emerging stayer Crossthestart clinched an interstate trip at Eagle Farm.Crossthestart scored a commanding three length win over Beartracker in Saturday's Blacks Trucks Plate (2136m) to earn a possible shot at the Group One Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) at Randwick on October 3.Saturday's race was marred by a fall when apprentice Michael Hellyer was dislodged from his moun

An old ploy trainer Bevan Laming used prior to St Basil's Stradbroke Handicap victory four years ago paid off handsomely when emerging stayer Crossthestart clinched an interstate trip at Eagle Farm.

Crossthestart scored a commanding three length win over Beartracker in Saturday's Blacks Trucks Plate (2136m) to earn a possible shot at the Group One Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) at Randwick on October 3.

Saturday's race was marred by a fall when apprentice Michael Hellyer was dislodged from his mount Strawberry Ripple at the top of the straight.

Hellyer was conscious and appeared to escape serious injury but was taken to Brisbane's Mater Hospital for precautionary x-rays after complaining of chest pains, a sore right wrist and pain in his left ankle.

Laming has two options with Crossthestart but favours sending him to Sydney for the Metropolitan as a lead-up to a Melbourne trip for the Group One Caulfield Cup (2400m) next month.

"If he doesn't get into the Metrop we've got the option of taking him straight to Melbourne for the Herbert Power in three weeks," Laming said.

"I prefer the Metropolitan as I think the stayers in Sydney are weaker than in Melbourne."

The Group Two Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) will be run at Caulfield on October 10.

Laming won the Herbert Power in 2003 with Yakama but rates Crossthestart superior.

Laming was concerned Crossthestart was stepping up sharply in distance from his previous third over 1500 metres at Eagle Farm so he took the unusual step of sending the five-year-old around in an exhibition gallop between races at Doomben on Wednesday.

"It's an old trick but it works. I did it with St Basil before he won the Stradbroke," Laming said.

Crossthestart is still not qualified for the Caulfield Cup but Laming has enough confidence in the gelding to give him his opportunity.

"He relaxed well today and I liked the way he found the line," Laming said.

"At least this win will make his task a little easier to get into the Metrop.

"He had a rating of 44 before today and now he'll have a 33 rating after this win."

Victorious jockey Jim Byrne had Crossthestart perfectly placed in the early stages but had to take off in the back straight.

"I couldn't hold my position around the back and I had no option but to take off," Byrne said.

"This horse keeps improving and is a nice stayer in the making.

"Early in his career he was very one-dimensional but he's matured a lot now.

"A race like the Metropolitan is going to suit him. It's normally a genuine speed unlike here where they pull up on you."