Australian Bloodstock’s spring arsenal may have strengthened further after imported stayer Relentless Voyager showcased his staying ability with victory in the Travis Harrison Cup at Moonee Valley.

Carrying a hefty 61.5kg over the 2040-metre journey under jockey Mark Zahra, the Ciaron Maher-trained six-year-old — who has campaigned in England, Italy and now Australia — has his sights set on the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), a race Maher won in 2022 with Gold Trip for the same owners.

“That was a fair bit of weight today and we think that once he gets up in trip he should improve and his exposed form tells you that,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said of the gelding, who finished third in the Group 3 Glorious Stakes (2414m) at Goodwood last year.

“He’s just starting to show his true colours now as he is getting fitter, and stepping out further next start should help him improve again.”

For much of the race, the Annabel and Rob Neasham-trained Nellie Leylax ($3.70) looked the winner, but Relentless Voyager ($8.50) surged late to claim a 1¼ length victory, with stablemate Sayedaty Sadaty ($2.90 favourite) another ¾ length away in third.

Both Maher-trained runners are now being aimed at the Group 3 The Archer (2500m) at Flemington on September 13, a “win and you’re in” pathway to the Melbourne Cup.

“Hopefully it is a sense of timing come spring, as today has been a very good race day for us — a lot of our top stayers have kicked off here and I’m sure he’ll be one of those in time,” Turnbull said.

“He is right up there with our current better stayers,” he added.

Following the win, bookmakers marked Relentless Voyager a $18 chance for the Melbourne Cup on November 4.