After Matias stormed to victory in the Group Three Grand Prix Stakes at Eagle Farm, trainer Gerald Ryan is now pondering whether the promising three-year-old deserves a shot at Sydney’s autumn carnival.

The gelding, sent out at $7, was allowed to settle well back in the 1800m event before unwinding a powerful run down the outside to win going away—an effort that reinforced his burgeoning potential.

Ryan said conditions and luck had been against Matias earlier in the prep and that his Hawkesbury maiden win was achieved despite being ridden outside his natural pattern.

“He didn’t like the real heavy track at Rosehill. He was unlucky at Canterbury. He won well the other day, but he was ridden too close to the lead,” Ryan told Sky Racing.

“I don’t know about stretching him further at this stage of his career. I wouldn’t mind taking him home and giving him a break, not a long break, and seeing if he can measure up in the autumn.”

Matias hails from a strong page being out of 2019 Victorian Oaks placegetter Never Listen, and Saturday’s win suggested he may inherit her stamina.

Jockey Michael Rodd was pleasantly surprised by Matias’ dominance.

“That was really impressive,” Rodd said.

“Watching his replays down south, he’s by Snitzel, he’s out of an Oaks-placing mare. You’re not sure what to expect.

“Gerald said ride him back a bit today. We had our hand forced anyway. He was a little bit slow out and horses came either side of us and popped us out the back. It was a blessing. They went along really quick, and he was loving the gallop.”

Grafterburners also kept his upward trajectory intact, winning the Gold Edition Plate (1200m) before being locked in for the lucrative Magic Millions Sunlight.

Schweida’s gelding ($1.90 fav) defeated Sylph ($10) and Icarian Dream ($11) with authority.

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