Rob Heathcote believes his Reset galloper Defenceman is a quality stayer in the making.

Brisbane’s premier trainer said Wednesday’s Eagle Farm winner is still learning.  “He is going to be a 2000m horse and further,” Heathcote said.  “He will get better with experience and that’s where that improvement is going to come from.”

Defenceman (3g Reset – Zero Colour by Danzero) made his debut as recently as December 14 and led all the way for a gutsy victory in the Lyndhurst Stud Maiden Hcp (1500m) on Wednesday.  He scored by a half-head over Cobalt Blue (E Dubai).

Defenceman is part-owned by Socceroo players Craig Moore, Scott Chipperfield and Lucas Neill.  They also race Heathcote’s star sprinter Buffering.

The Eagle Farm winner toured the sale ring twice before joining Heathcote’s stable.  He was an $11,000 buy for Grange Thoroughbreds as a foal at the 2009 Magic Millions National Sale.

The following year his value had increased to $60,000 at the Magic Millions QTIS Sale.  Clear Mountain Fairview will offer his Tycoon Ruler half-sister as Lot 351 at the 2012 Magic Millions QTIS Sale.

Their dam Zero Colour is an unraced three quarter sister to the stakes performer Pink Fit (Flying Spur) and Stars Aligned (Not a Single Doubt).

Darley sire Reset is on a roll this season with G1 Cox Plate winner Pinker Pinker and he has another G1 candidate in NZ this season with Knight’s Tour.

A member of Stephen McKee’s Ardmore stable, Knight’s Tour was a G2 winner of the Great Northern Guineas (1600m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day and he is being set for the G1 New Zealand Derby in March.

Reset (Zabeel) stands for a $16,500 (inc gst) fee at Darley’s Northwood Park nursery in Victoria.