Three-year-olds Vostok and Praecereus have brought up an early double at Sandown for beleaguered trainer Peter Moody.

With a cobalt case against him scheduled to stretch well into the new year, Moody has admitted his business is under pressure.

But the trainer is looking to the future, especially with the unbeaten Vostok who he believes can develop into a high-class performer.

The winner of his first two starts at Kilmore and Sandown, Vostok lived up to his $2.50 favouritism in Wednesday’s Cove Hotel Handicap (1600m) with a 3-3/4 length win.

“We’ll probably take the foot off the pedal a little bit and let him have a little ease-up and I think we’ve got to lift the bar a bit and maybe look at slightly better races in the autumn,” Moody said.

“Although not kidding ourselves, we’re in off-season form but when you win you’ve got to keep lifting the bar.”

Stablemate Praecereus is a brother to 2012 Queensland Derby winner Brambles and Terry Henderson of OTI Racing hopes he can get to the same level.

Praecereus raced in a forward position in The Grand Hotel Frankston Plate (1400m) and rallied in the straight when challenged to win by a long neck over Septamore.

“Pete has been very patient with him and he’s probably put him on a similar path to his full-brother Brambles,” Henderson said.

“And the determination he showed today, hopefully he’ll get to the same level.”

Jockey Glen Boss said Praecereus raced like a horse which would get over ground.

“He’s still got a lot of maturing to do,” Boss said.

“As you’d expect he’s going to get better as he gets a bit older and more mature and as he gets over more distance, but I like the way the last 50 metres was the best part of his race today.”

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au