Five-year-old former French galloper Seawhatyouthnk staked a strong case towards a start in the Listed Bagot Handicap (2500m) on New Year’s Day with victory in the Vale Mahogany Handicap over the same distance at Flemington.

Lightly raced with nine starts for now four wins and one placing, Seawhatyouthink ($3.20 favourite) strongly held off the challenge with Dean Yendall aboard from former UK galloper Constantinople ($26) in the drive towards the line to score by a head margin with Wellsford ($26) six lengths away in third.

This win at Benchmark 78 level has Warrnambool-based trainer Matthew Williams likely to set a path to the 1 January staying feature at Flemington.

“He was nice and genuine right through the line,” Williams said.

“I think he’s still learning a little bit, he’s lightly raced and first time out to 2500 (metres) so he should take a little bit of benefit of that.

“We might have a look at a race like Bagot now.”

The road to continuing his racing career in Australia hasn’t been without its issues, Williams adds.

“He did a tendon overseas and a few of the OTI (owned) horses have come out and done their rehab here,’ he said.

“We got him up nearly to race and it (tendon injury) just flared up on us again so we backed right off and gave him another good break and rehab program – he’s got some very patient owners who certainly deserve the win today.

“This preparation he’s been lovely and sound, couldn’t be happier with him, he’s just a nice staying horse.”

Described by Dean Yendall as “a tricky horse”, Seawhatyouthink clocked 2:36.31 for the 2500 metre journey.

Tough.