The Soultaker's classic hopes have gained winning momentum after he overcame a heavy track at Ellerslie to open his 3-year-old account.
The grey son of Iffraaj showed his quality when he took top honours in Saturday's Group 3 Manuka Doctor Bonecrusher Stakes at the expense of the well-credentialed maiden Hello M'Lady and Mongolianlightning.
The Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs-trained The Soultaker is now an $8 chance for the Sothys New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton on November 5, if in fact he is still in New Zealand.
"His last furlong was pretty strong on a track he was hating," rider Mark Du Plessis said.
"He's a very good horse and he will be much better on top of the ground."