Kris Lees holds firm on entering Randwick scorer Cantiamo back into stakes racing, yet circumstances might dictate a change in schedule or destination.

He had set his focus on the Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes (1100m) in Scone during the next month, but the filly’s commanding performance in The Third Australian General Hospital Handicap on Saturday demands reconsideration.

During the majority of the straight, Cantiamo was blocked by runners ahead, finding space at the 100m pole and employing every bit of the 1200m distance to burst clear late via Jason Collett into the winning post.

“It’s good to get a Saturday win with her. She’s a really nice filly,” Lees said.

“It was a good win. I didn’t think she was going to win at the furlong (200m), but she got a lovely run through from Jason and she got there on the line.

“Going into the race, we were thinking of going back to 1100 for the Denise’s Joy, so we’ll just have to have a chat to Jase and see which path we take.

“She is certainly up to stakes company. We’ll see when we get there.”

Cantiamo’s record stands at four wins from eight races, including a solid effort when beaten two lengths by Plaintiff in the Group 3 P J Bell Stakes (1200m) previously.

Saturday’s race threw a curveball for Collett with the filly not jumping sharply, though her fightback pointed to exceptional ability.

“I just needed a bit of luck. Jellicious didn’t take me as far as I needed, and thankfully a split opened up at the furlong marker,” Collett said.

“She settled better today. She was very keen last start, but today she was more even, which I think is a sign she could get a bit further.

“She was good late. She needed to quicken and do it in a short amount of time, and it was a good effort.”

At $2.70 favourite, Cantiamo struck the front right on the wire to beat Ernaux ($10) by a head, with determined Spice Baby ($6) claiming third a short head behind.

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