Macciateau continues a classic campaign that goes up several notches in the LR Melvista Stakes (2200m) at Ascot on Friday.

The promising Maschino 3yo has won his last two starts at Pinjarra and Belmont but faces his biggest test against budding stayers like Playing God pair Lord Vampi ($4.60) and Alaskan ($4.80).  They lead Melvista markets from In Good Order ($5.50) and A Lot Of Good Men ($6.50).

TAB Fixed Futures has Macciateau at $21.  He’s been thrown in at the deep end but trainer Summer Dickson is hoping he can mix it with the favourites in a dress-rehearsal for the G2 WA Derby (24200m) on April 13.

“He’s better when ridden cold and darted through traffic from the tail of the field to win his maiden at Pinjarra,” Dickson recalled.   “And then he went bang at Belmont sitting three-deep in the moving line before going past his rivals in flashing time!

“He’s very progressive and is only going to improve.  The first-up win at Pinjarra was impressive, especially since he was still filling out.  I’ve always liked him and his recovery-rate is also continuing to get better.”

Macciateau is known as ‘Mr Willy Wonka’ at Dickson’s beachside stable at Port Kennedy.  “It’s been a great ride so far and his owners Nic and Paul Wilson always bring a big support crew along to the races.”

His sire Maschino stands at Alwyn Park Stud and he has come close in previous renewals of the WA Derby with placegetters Cockney Crew (2019) and Criminal Code (2020).