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With continued improvement Cannon Hill could be a Longines Singapore Gold Cup contender following his victory in the $75,000 Open Benchmark 74 Stakes over 2000m on Sunday.

Ridden by Barend Vorster, Cannon Hill scored by a length from South Gate (Alan Munro) with Joyful Heart Man (Tan Wei Li) the same margin back in third place.

Cannon Hill was well ridden by Vorster in the six-horse field, settling in fifth position in the early stages of the race.

Beautiful World (Koh Teck Huat) set the pace from Joyful Heart Man which was inclined to hang a shade in the early stages. Over Easy (A’Isisuhairi Kasim) and Bee Ahead (Manoel Nunes) were next in line.

There was little change to the order until the pace quickened with 600m to run where Joyful Heart Man took over at the head of affairs. Bee Ahead worked up to be in second position with A’Isisuhairi trying to push out into the clear on Over Easy.

Vorster could see what was unfolding ahead of him and elected to come to the outside on the turn and to put himself into the race.

After a short struggle, Cannon Hill began to assert his superiority and held off a late charge from South Gate which came from the tail of the field.

Trainer Patrick Shaw said he hopes Cannon Hill can maintain his form through to the end of the year and emerge as a Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) contender on November 17.

“Let’s hope he carries on,” said Shaw. “I thought his run at weight-for-age last time was excellent and this looked a nice race for him.

“He likes a firm track and if he keeps improving the way he has been then, who knows, he could be a Gold Cup horse.

“He’s not as effective on the soft and he’s been enjoying the firmer tracks of late but the main thing is he’s improving all the time.”

Vorster said the solid early tempo had suited Cannon Hill and added the way the gelding was enjoying his racing that he could develop into a Gold Cup contender in November.

“He was suited by the fast early pace and importantly they came back to me at the 800m,” said Vorster.

“He’s not the sort of horse that you can go bustling mid-race and they weren’t really quickening before the turn which made me confident as I could feel my horse still had plenty left.

“He gave me a really good kick and was strong all the way to the finish.

“He could prove to be a Gold Cup contender as he does stay well. He’s been so honest in his races.

“He’s happy as well and he’s been giving his all as well.”

Cannon Hill is an Irish-bred five-year-old by Holy Roman Emperor from Upperville and took his prizemoney past the $150,000 for owner Fred Crabbia with the victory.

The Shaw and Crabbia combination returned to the winner’s circle in the following race when My Brother took out the $35,000 Moonee Valley Racing Club Trophy over 1200m on the Polytrack.

Ridden by Zuriman Zulkilfi, My Brother scored by a length-and-a-half from Northern Cat (Shafiq Rizuan) with Samurai Kid (Pregasam Dellorto) a nose away third.

My Brother is a three-year-old half-brother, by Shamadal, to Singapore’s champion sprinter Rocket Man, also owned by Crabbia and prepared by Shaw.