Chris Waller’s progressive stayer Travolta looks set for a quick back-up into the Listed Wyong Cup (2100m) after an impressive Rosehill victory on Saturday.

Carrying 59.5kg after apprentice Siena Grima’s three-kilo claim, Travolta ($6.50) settled off the pace before producing a strong run down the outside to win the Wests Group Macarthur Handicap (2000m) by 1-1/4 lengths. She’s Unusual ($10) finished second, with stablemate Tazima ($2.20 fav) another three-quarters of a length away in third.

Waller’s assistant Charlie Duckworth said the gelding’s versatility was a key highlight. “He keeps ticking the boxes and progressing and to tell you the truth, we don’t really know how far he can go,” Duckworth said. “He is a very exciting horse. He seems to be very push-button. It was good to see him do it on a dry track today because when he started winning at the beginning of the prep you’re thinking, is he just a wet tracker? He obviously isn’t so he’s got a very bright future. He might back up and go to Wyong on Friday.”

Travolta’s win was also a breakthrough for Grima, providing her first Saturday metropolitan success less than three weeks after she claimed her maiden city win midweek on Tazima. The apprentice had narrowly missed on Travolta two weeks ago when beaten by James McDonald aboard Amusing. “She was shattered to have come up against ‘J Mac’ last time and they had a bit of a match again today so delighted for her and delighted for the owners,” Duckworth said.

The Waller camp looks likely to have multiple Wyong Cup runners, with Saltcoats, Tajanis and Hutchins also earmarked for the feature, which offers Big Dance eligibility.