A patient ride by Justin Stanley saw the heavily backed Worthy Cause salute in the Group 3 $125,000 Surfers Paradise RSL Gunsynd Classic (1600m) at the Gold Coast today.

Worthy Cause scores an impressive win in the Gunsynd Classic at the Gold Coast. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Worthy Cause was backed in from $5.50 to start the $4 equal favourite with Inauguration and trainer John Zielke will aim the three year old towards the Melbourne Spring Carnival after he completes his Winter Carnival campaign.

“I’ve got two Guineas in mind for Queensland and then we are going to Flemington in the Spring,” Zielkaa said.

Stanley settled Worthy Cause midfield and after getting to the outside in the straight swept home to quickly put the contest beyond doubt, beating Upham ($17) by two lengths with Chillin With Dylan ($31) a further one and quarter lengths away in third spot.

Worthy Cause was coming a win at Doomben against the three year olds over 1350m and had no worries that the Choisir colt would handle the step up to 1800m today.

“I was always confident that this horse would do this,” Zeilke said.

“I’ve done this before from 1350m up 1800m before at Flemington, I know what I need to do.”

“This horse will run 2000m and beyond.”

“Justin rated this horse perfectly.”

“Me and Justin go back over twenty years. He was riding for me when he was a non-claiming apprentice and we have remained friends ever since and he is one of the best riders in the country but just doesn’t get the opportunities.”

“I’ll be sticking with him all the way through to Flemington as well.”

Zielke will head back to his home track with Worthy Cause for the Listed $125,000 Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast on May 16 before heading to Doomben for the Group 2 $400,000 Sky Racing Queensland Guineas (1600m) on June 6.

Equal favourite Inauguration ($4) raced with the leaders but was clearly under pressure but when heads were turned for home and he faded to finish ninth, eight lengths from the winner.