Rising star Metal Bender gets the chance to become the first horse to complete the three-year-old autumn triple crown since Octagonal in 1996 following his thrilling win in the Rosehill Guineas.The Jack Denham-trained gelding got the decision in a photo-finish from Sousa and Rock Kingdom whose jockey Nash Rawiller was immediately in front of stewards who questioned whether he had ridden his mount out to the line.However, the honours were with Metal Bender and Danny Nikolic who drove him along th

Rising star Metal Bender gets the chance to become the first horse to complete the three-year-old autumn triple crown since Octagonal in 1996 following his thrilling win in the Rosehill Guineas.

The Jack Denham-trained gelding got the decision in a photo-finish from Sousa and Rock Kingdom whose jockey Nash Rawiller was immediately in front of stewards who questioned whether he had ridden his mount out to the line.

However, the honours were with Metal Bender and Danny Nikolic who drove him along the rail in a carbon copy of his Randwick Guineas win while others were out in the middle of the track.

When Octagonal won the triple crown the first leg was the Canterbury Guineas (1900m) but nowadays the first leg is the Randwick Guineas (1600m) before the step up to the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and the AJC Australian Derby (2400m).

Accepting the plaudits on behalf of his father, fellow trainer Allan Denham said he had no doubts Metal Bender could step up to plate again in the Derby in two weeks.

"He can stay all day," Denham said.

"He is a very exciting horse and the Derby distance will be no problem.

"The inside wasn't the best ground but he got there.

"He is a horse on the way up and he just keeps improving."

When he won the Randwick Guineas, Nikolic got it wrong when it came to remembering his previous Group One winner but there were no doubts after Saturday and no doubts there was more to come.

"There will be no issues with the distance of the Derby," he said.

"And even though the finish was tight I knew I had the right horse because he likes a slog.

"He is very relaxed but he is a fighter."

Punters rallied to Metal Bender early in the week and he eventually started $4.40 favourite after being challenged for favouritism on race day by Caymans ($4.80, fourth) and Rock Kingdom and Tobique (sixth) who both went out at $4.60.

Rich Endowment was the first out before The Zeebac took the lead with Sousa on his tail.

Sousa was one of two runners for Sheikh Mohammed who also races Caymans and the former stuck to his guns well to be beaten a half-head with Rock Kingdom a nose third.

"There was a lot of pressure early but he got a good run," Sousa's jockey Hugh Bowman said.

"Inside the final two furlongs (400m) I thought I had them, it was so close."

Rhyno Chaser, who finished 10th after a slow start, will have to perform well in a barrier trial after missing the start if he is to go on to the Derby.

The colt has had a chequered history with his barrier manners.

New Zealand Derby winner Coniston Bluebird finished eighth after being in much the same position throughout while Victoria Derby winner Rebel Raider again performed poorly and beat just one home.

Trainer Leon Macdonald said Rebel Raider would undergo a thorough veterinary examination on Sunday to determine whether he remained in Sydney or returned home to Adelaide.