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A step up in distance proved to be a winning move for talented sprinter Brinktop Lad who returned to winning form in Hobart on Sunday.

Trainer Scott Brunton had expected Brinktop Lad to win at his two previous outings, but rider's Codi Jordan and David Pires reported the gelding had dropped the bit at the half-way mark of 1200-metre events in Hobart.

Brunton was confident that was a sign the gelding was looking for further and on Sunday with Pires aboard, the gelded son of Wordsmith delivered the goods in a benchmark 68 handicap over 1400m.

Brinktop Lad settled just off the speed and was poised to pounce when the leaders turned for the run home. When asked for the big effort Brinktop Lad ($4.20) stormed to the lead and went on to win by two lengths from Ivoryman ($12) with race favourite Hellova Night ($3.70) almost the same margin away third.

Brunton was delighted with the effort and predicted he could find his way into a decent race later in the season.

"He was very good today and stepping him up to 1400m was the right move," Brunton said.

"He'll go to 1600m next start in a benchmark 68 and see how he goes but I would expect a similar result."

Pires also was impressed with the gelding's performance.

"We identified a couple of things from his previous two starts and today he was really good," Pires said.

"He was under pressure 600m out with the speed that was on, but he did brilliant job to pick them up."

Brinktop Lad was the third of four winners prepared by Brunton who also saddled up Neutralize and Fayerra in maidens and Verbano that scored arguably the win of the meeting.

Verbano (Alpine Eagle-Euston Road) ran down tearaway leader Champagne Cinders that had what looked to be an unbeatable lead 200m from home.

"Verbano was really good, so I will aim her at the Thousand Guineas over a mile," Brunton said.

"She will race over 1400m next start and then go to 1600m in the filly's guineas, it's a big ask but I'm confident she's up to it."

Blacker's Derby contender

Alpine Affair could be aimed at the Tasmanian Derby following his game win in a 1600-metre maiden.

Alpine Affair ($2.70 fav) began well and took up the running, which was unexpected, but the gelded son of Alpine Eagle travelled well for Bulent Muhcu despite being challenged firstly by Aussie Warrior and then by The Executive prior to reaching the home straight.

Mcdowall ($9) enjoyed a cushy run behind the leaders and when rider Brandon Louis eased out to challenge it looked for a fleeting moment as if he would win but the John Blacker-trained gelding showed more fight to draw clear and win comfortably.

"It wasn't the plan to lead but he did, and he was taken on twice before straightening, so he was probably entitled to tire but he showed great fight to win well," Blacker said.

"He never shaped as a three-year-old that would stay but I'd say he is the stable's Derby horse on that effort."

Outside of the winner, it was another son of Alpine Eagle that showed up in the Angela Brakey-trained Hellfire Eagle ($26) that settled worse than midfield and mare up good ground to the home turn before running home resolutely in the straight to grab third.

It was only his fourth start, so he too looks like being able to stay a trip and that was confirmed by rider Anthony Darmanin.