Articus could give Newcastle trainer Kris Lees a surprise Cameron Handicap (1500m) contender after a drought-breaking victory at Randwick on Saturday.
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The eight-year-old French-bred gelding, a $21 chance in the last, raced just behind the leaders in the 1500m benchmark 94 handicap before wearing down Sweet Deal ($3 favourite) and holding off Scarlet Dream ($6.50) on the line.
It was the Australian Bloodstock import's second win since coming Down Under and first since saluting at Flemington in May 2017 when with Darren Weir.
The veteran, which won at listed and group 3 level in Europe, has been with Lees for 14 starts and had placed three times.
"He's threatened to win a couple of times and I thought when the track started to dry out we probably missed our chance, but he got a perfect ride from Jason [Collett] when he was able to put himself closer than what he normally settles, and that was a winning move," Lees told Sky Thoroughbred Central. "He may even line up in a Cameron in a couple of weeks."
The group 3 Cameron Handicap, sponsored by Australian Bloodstock, will be part of the September 20 Newcastle Cup meeting.
Earlier, Lees was encouraged by the return of Everest hopeful Graff in the group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m).
The four-year-old entire was a length third to two-time Everest champion Redzel in a red-hot field in his first-up run since minor throat surgery.
He was slow to recover from his previous start, when last in the group 1 Galaxy (1100m) on heavy going in March, but Lees was pleased with the comeback.
"He pulled up really well," Lees said. "It's the best he's pulled up, a lot better than he did his three runs last preparation. At this stage we'll got to The Shorts, but we'll discuss it with [owner] Alan [Bell] over the next few days."
The group 2 Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on September 21 will also feature resuming stablemate In Her Time, which has the Inglis slot in the October 19 Everest (1200m).
Graff, which was fifth in the Everest last year, was $15 with TAB for the $14 million race at Randwick despite not yet having a slot. In Her Time, seventh in the 2018 Everest, was the same price.