Spacecraft emerged as a contender for the Group One Victoria Derby with an impressive win in the Direct Alarm Supplies Handicap (1600m) at Moonee Valley today.

Trainer Danny O'Brien said the progressive son of Galileo had the scope to improve with time and as his distances continue to increase.

"We expected him to be hard to beat first up at Geelong, but they had a bit too much sprint for him over the 1300 metres," O'Brien said.

"But he was strong the whole race today."

By the time the post was reached Spacecraft ($8-$9) held a three length margin over the runner-up and race favourite Don Jose ($2.50-$3.10-$2.90 fav).

Third placegetter Shahryar ($61-$41), one of the best backed outsiders in the field, made ground from back in the field.

"He is bred to step up in distance and could be the horse on the way up," O'Brien said of Spacecraft.

"He has only had the two starts and has bypassed some of the harder races."

"But that (the Victoria Derby) is still a long way away."

Winning rider Danny Nikolic liked how the exciting three-year-old improved from his recent close up debut fourth placing at Geelong.

"He was very one paced first up but really put it all together today," Nikolic said.

"I think he is a nice horse in the making," he added.

Senior part owner Peter Caporn purchased Spacecraft for $85,000 from the draft of Racetree at the 2008 Magic Millions Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast.

By the sire of last weekend's international Group One winner Rip Van Winkle in Galileo, Spacecraft is one of four winners winners from as many runners for Demanding.

A twice Perth winning daughter of Octagonal, Demanding is best known as the dam of the multiple stakes winning and Derby placed Perth star Phenomenons.

Another of the mare's good performers, the Giant's Causeway filly Cause for Demand, was fourth in group three and listed company.

Racetree have a half sister to Spacecraft heading to January's Magic Millions Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast.

The well bred youngster is by Racetree's exciting young freshman sire Hotel Grand.

Magic Millions Media Release Published 30/09/09