By Caryl Williamson

SYDNEY, Aug 25 AAP - Melbourne Cup aspirant Landlocked has taken the first steps towards the famous race with a dashing victory over 1200 metres at Canterbury.

The Anthony Cummings-trained four-year-old was a problem child in his Classic year but showed maturity to burst through a gap for a convincing win in Wednesday's STC Members Handicap.

Cummings thought enough of him as a three-year-old to run him in the AJC Australian Derby but he was unplaced after racing wide.

"He's growing up," Cummings said.

"That sort of start is what we are looking for going forward.

"He's in the major handicaps in Melbourne and this is the right way to start.

"He will stay in Sydney and maybe race in the Craven Plate on the long weekend in October before going south.

"He had some problems as a young horse and got taken out for playing up in the barriers but he's more tractable now.

"He behaved well and took the gap."

A son of champion sire of stayers Zabeel, Landlocked is raced by Gerry Harvey.

He was reunited at Canterbury with regular partner Jay Ford who said he still had a bit to learn.

"He was still a handful in the gates but he was the best he's been so far," Ford said.

Landlocked ($12) overhauled Lucky Elmo ($9.50) to win by a short neck with Boulevard Baron ($7.50) a neck away third.

Favourite Ego ($2.70) ran home for fourth but was sent back to the barrier trials after trying to savage St Augustine after the pair jumped out together.

While he is looking ahead to Landlocked's spring assignments, Cummings is focusing his attention this weekend on Gybe in the $1 million Golden Rose.

The outsider of the field, Gybe missed her lead-up in the Silver Shadow Stakes due to what appeared to be the onset of a virus but all was now well with the filly.

"Her blood count was low and she had a high white cell count but it didn't amount to anything," Cummings said.

"Her gallop was excellent on Tuesday morning so I'm happy going into the race."