Last year's winner of the $500,000 Country Final at The Championships at Royal Randwick showed by the ease of its win in a 1000m barrier trial at Taree last Tuesday that he is ready for big things.

Kempsey part-owner Rhonda Bannon said Victorem was possibly being aimed towards the $1.5million Stradbroke Handicap over 1400m at Eagle Farm on June 8.

This Saturday Port Macquarie trainer Jenny Graham is hoping that the gelding adds prizemoney from a $150,000 race to the galloper's purse so far of $819,100.

She has taken her time to have Victorem sparking on all cylinders and she must be contented with the galloper's two barrier trial wins at Port and Taree.

In a nine-horse field at Taree, Port jockey Ben Looker in having Victorem win the jump by a length, quickly took hold and had the gelding travelling smoothly in fifth spot out of trouble.

Victorem strode to the lead wide on the track on straightening and then ambled to a 2.4 lengths win from Taree's Party Host, trained by Wayne Wilkes, without being touched.

The 1000m was won in 58.63, the last 600m being in 34.23secs.

Victorem left the last five at the line by more than 11 lengths and up to 28 lengths behind.

Barrier trials are not always an accurate guide to race conditions but the gelding looked sensational.

Mrs Bannon said as Victorem missed a barrier trial at Port the week before due to the wet conditions, he was "very fresh.

"The 1100m on Saturday should be suitable."

Looker told connections that Victorem was "a bit naughty" in the barrier, had a mind of his own, and he was happy with the trial, as was the trainer.

Victorem hasn't raced since four starts at Doomben in December where he won over 1350m and was placed in the other starts.

In 12 starts, the gelding has had six wins and four placings but with maturity and patience, he could show his real potential now he is older.

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