Trainer Leon Macdonald is not discouraged by Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed's fifth at Caulfield on Saturday and she will press on to the Australian Cup.The Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield highlighted the strength of imported stayers with the four who finished ahead of Southern Speed all former Europeans.Lucas Cranach won from Illo with Manighar third and Glass Harmonium fourth.Former French horse and 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain, the favourite for the Australian Cup (2000m)

Trainer Leon Macdonald is not discouraged by Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed's fifth at Caulfield on Saturday and she will press on to the Australian Cup.

The Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield highlighted the strength of imported stayers with the four who finished ahead of Southern Speed all former Europeans.

Lucas Cranach won from Illo with Manighar third and Glass Harmonium fourth.

Former French horse and 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain, the favourite for the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 10, was not at Caulfield with trainer David Hayes sending him round in a workout between races at Moonee Valley on Friday night instead.

Southern Speed eased to $12 for the Australian Cup after Craig Williams said she failed to show her usual dash.

"We didn't have the prettiest of runs but just getting around the bend she didn't quicken enough for me and all of sudden horses outsprinted her," Williams said.

But her trainer could not fault her on Sunday.

"She's pulled up fine," Macdonald said.

"We'll monitor over the next few days and take her blood as we always do.

"She may have been a bit dour. It was also a very hot day which could have had something to do with it."

Lucas Cranach's trainer Anthony Freedman had feared the 1800 metres might be too short and was thrilled with the horse's turn of speed.

"It was a very, very impressive win and we will go to Flemington with a bit of confidence," he said.

Southern Speed made a brilliant return to racing with a first-up win over 1400 metres then gave another solid performance when she chased Black Caviar home in the Group One CF Orr Stakes over the same distance.

Those runs earned her $2.40 favouritism for the Group Two Peter Young in which she finished four lengths from the winner.