Classy trotter earns crack at the 'big time'

VICTORY at Australia's premier track - Menangle - last night has earned classy trotter Caligula a shot at the 'big time'.

Boasting three wins and a second from his last five starts, Caligula will be taken south of the Murray River for the Great Southern Star.

The Group One, which consists of heats and a Final on the same night, is scheduled to be run at Tabcorp Park Melton on February 3.

Having given next Saturday's V L Dullard Cup in Melton some consideration, trainer Blake Fitzpatrick has elected to wait until the following week to make the interstate trip.

"The Dullard Cup is for good money, but he prefers the shorter distance racing," Fitzpatrick said. "The Cup is over 2240 metres, while the Great Southern Star is 1720, which will suit him better.

"Racing twice in one night won't bother him, so that's the way he'll be heading."

With Fitzpatrick holding the reins during his latest triumph, Caligula worked to the lead from barrier seven as early front runner, Sunny Gee, was eased to take a trail.

Striding clear along the home straight, the son of Majestic Son completed an easy 15-metre win from On Advice.

Royal Glenferrie was two metres away third.

Covering the mile in 1:53.1, Caligula took his record to 20 wins and 11 placings for earnings of $195,083.

"That was his second run from a short let-up and he went terrific," Fitzpatrick said. "The run will do him the world of good as we work towards a Victorian trip."