Emerging three-year-old Shanwah extended his winning streak to four with an impressive performance in the Alister Clark Stakes at Moonee Valley, setting his sights on a Sydney campaign.

Now boasting four victories from eight starts, the son of UK Group 1 Two Thousand Guineas (1600m) winner Too Darn Hot has firmed as a key contender for the Group 1 ATC Australian Derby (2400m).

“If the horse is sound, and we’re happy, he can travel up to Sydney and have a crack at the Derby,” said Jack Turnbull, assistant trainer to Ciaron Maher, following the Group 2 victory over 2040 metres.

“He stepped a little bit slow and I was a tad worried, but to his credit he gave him a little squeeze and he poked up inside and it then worked out really well.

“Four-in-a-row, it’s not easy to do and he’s on an upwards trajectory, which is fantastic.”

Shanwah’s winning run started with a maiden victory at Mornington, followed by a benchmark 64 success at Caulfield Heath, and his breakthrough Group 2 triumph in the Autumn Classic (1400m) at Caulfield on February 22.

With regular jockey Blake Shinn engaged in Sydney, Ethan Brown took the reins and was full of praise for the talented gelding.

“I thought he was toying with them a bit there,” Brown said.

“He’s a horse of very high class that has continued to improve and the 2000 metres was no worries to him at all.”

Following his latest success, Shanwah has firmed to $6 in the ATC Derby market, trailing only New Zealand Derby winner Willydoit ($3.50).

“He can measure up, certainly,” Brown said.

“The higher the pressure for this horse, the more it will switch him on.”

Shanwah ($2.20 betting favourite) claimed victory by two lengths over Imperialist ($13), with Statuario ($15) finishing a close third.