Runaway Murtoa debut winner Moment of Change stepped up to Melbourne grade at Sandown this afternoon and the exciting young galloper did it in style with a demolition of his rivals in the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1300m).

Despite still appearing to have plenty left in hand, the top prospect cruised clear of his rivals to win by almost four lengths.

The win was the second easy victory for the Barely a Moment three-year-old following on from his near track record breaking 10 length maiden success at Murtoa.

“It was a good win,” Moody said following the Sandown win. “It was obviously far superior company (to Murtoa).”

“He’s a good horse, but I don’t know how good – he hasn’t been tested at home or at the races to this point.”

“The sky’s the limit. I think he’s in the top bracket.”

“We’re not going to get ahead of ourselves. We’ll go home and see how he pulls up and find the next best option for him.”

Moody said the Caulfield Guineas was still on the agenda – but he said should the horse be showing signs of having enough he would be immediately spelled.

“The Guineas Prelude in 10 days time looks too soon – seven furlongs around Caulfield and he’ll be against more experienced horses again.”

“If I was to go in the deep end it would probably be in the Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley – I wouldn’t even rule out another ratings race.”

“We’re not busting a gut to have him in the Caulfield Guineas – they run a couple of Guineas in the autumn – the Australian Guineas and the Randwick Guineas.”

“If he went home and threw up the white flag – he’s in the paddock.”

“I think he’s got a lot of potential. He’s such a big, raw horse you just know one day you’ll do down there and he’ll be laying down with growing pains.”

“Whether he will get there this time around is questionable. It would be a big ask for a horse to go to the Guineas in his first prep.”

Moment of Change was purchased for $50,000 by Melbourne based syndication company Slade Bloodstock at last year’s Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale from the Sovereign Thoroughbreds draft.

“It has been a great sale,” Slade said of the Perth Yearling Sale. “I bought another one at the same time over there – a Bel Esprit filly that Peter likes but she hasn’t raced yet.”

“I’ve got Tamanu Park in the Newcastle Cup (tomorrow) he came from there and also Brockman’s Lass and Time Matters – it’s been a terrific sale.”

“He’s exciting and it’s a new bunch of owners – it’s a good opportunity for them,” Slade added referring to Moment of Change.

“The sky’s the limit – whether it’s this preparation or the ones going forward.”

Moody’s loyal stable rider Linda Meech, as she did at Murtoa, retained the ride on Moment of Change after the originally engaged rider Luke Nolen lost an appeal against a suspension on Monday.

“He was a lot better today,” Meech reported. “When I asked him to go, he went.”

“Sometimes at home in trackwork he doesn’t know what you want him to do.”

“He was all racehorse today,” she added.

A gelded son of triple Group One winner Barely a Moment, Moment of Change is the first runner for this dam, the Perth placed Europium.

A daughter of influential former WA sire Metal Storm, Europium is a half sister to the Belmont Guineas and Boulder Cup winner Mr Diagnoses.

Moment of Change’s second, third and fourth dam were all successful at stakes level.

Other WA based stakes winners in the family include Kosleta, Daring Smile and Spirit Lady.

Moment of Change was bred and was sold at the Perth Yearling Sale by Tracy Knotts of Busselton’s Sovereign Thoroughbreds.

Tracy has entered five yearlings for the the 2012 Belmont Park based Magic Millions auction – by sires including Not a Single Doubt, Magic Albert, Dubawi and Rocket Man’s Viscount.

PICS – Colin Bull.