Polanski continued his form from a last-start Flemington win to prevail in the Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) and confirm himself as one of the horses to beat in the Victoria Derby on November 2.
Ridden by Hugh Bowman, Polanski ($6) came from just off the pace to overpower a game San Diego ($4.40) with Epic Saga ($11) in third.
Bought for just $4000, the powerful Rakti colt now looks one of the premier staying three-year-olds in the country and trainer Robbie Laing has every confidence he will run out the 2500m of the Derby.
"His run the other day, I thought it was brave. A lot of people liked horses who had a bludge out the back and got home, but I thought he went before the home turn and it was a very gutsy run," he said.
"Everyone in the stable thought he'd improve 3-4 lengths and he showed that today.
"He's a big tough horse, he'll go home and eat up, spend a bit of time in the pool and he'll be right."
Polanski is currently $9 to win the Derby with Spring Champion Stakes winner Complacent at the head of the market.
Earlier, Arabian Gold ($3.20) revelled in getting away from star filly Guelph as she notched a narrow win in the Ethereal Stakes (2000m).
Trainer David Vandyke held his breath down the straight as she was challenged by Solicit ($7), but was happy enough with what he saw to press on toward the Wakeful Stakes and then will assess whether she goes to the Oaks on November 7.
"That was a tough staying test and she passed with flying colours so we’ll head to the Wakeful on two weeks and we’ll sum it up from there," he said.
"I'm concerned about her running 2500 metres, especially at this age, but I can't see them running along any quicker than what they did then and she’s going to have the experience of this run under her belt."
"But we won’t go to the race unless I'm 100 percent happy with her after the Wakeful."
Jockey Peter Robl still thinks Arabian Gold has the class to win the Oaks even if she doesn't have the stamina.
"I'm not really sure about the 2500 for her but we’ve seen a lot of fillies win Oaks that can't stay so hopefully she’ll fall into that category but shells very classy," Robl said.
Refer finished third with the first three all expected to front-up again in the Wakeful at Flemington in a fortnight.
Arabian Gold is an $8 second favourite in the Oaks behind Thousand Guineas runner-up
May Dream.