Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are set to test Highly Regarded over an extended distance at Flemington, hoping the added ground brings out the best in the developing stayer.

The three-year-old colt is slated to contest the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) this Friday, stepping out for his fourth career start in search of his maiden victory.

So far, Highly Regarded hasn’t placed in his short career, though he did finish fourth in a 2050m maiden at Mornington earlier this month, giving connections a hint that more distance could be key to unlocking improvement.

“He’s an immature type of staying horse. He’s getting there slowly and surely,” Price said.

“I think it is worthwhile having a try at a 2800-metre race. It does get a little bit restricted that race albeit they sometimes back-up into the South Australian Derby.”

A strong showing at Flemington may see Highly Regarded pushed along to the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on May 3.

“It’s only a week between those two races now, so he’ll go there to Flemington, and we’ll see how he goes and then make a decision,” Price said.

Another emerging Derby hopeful from the stable is Global Eclipse, who finally broke his maiden in a 2025m event at Cranbourne on April 18, after notching three consecutive placings at Sandown and Geelong.

“Ben Melham texted me on Friday night and said to have a think about the South Australian Derby with him,” Price said.

“He’s a real staying type of horse. It was slowly run race that 2025-metre maiden and I see the other 2025-metre maiden that we won there with Hurricane Georgie, was four seconds faster.

“They did walk in Global Eclipse’s race, but Melham obviously liked him.

“He’s a big, long horse, that is quite strong, so he might go over.”