TRAINER Joseph Pride sounded an ominous warning to the rivals of yesterday's Randwick winner Regal Cheer, declaring the gallant filly was nowhere near her top.

The stakes-winning three-year-old impressed with an authoritative first-up victory in the Bigpond Sport Handicap (1100 metres), stalking the speed before striding up to hit the front inside the final 200 metres and cruising to a three-quarters-of-a-length win over Pasikatera.

Pride said Regal Cheer's immediate aims were the Light Fingers Stakes (1200 metres) in a fortnight and also the group 2 Surround Stakes, over 1400 metres, three weeks later.

"That isn't her top and that's the exciting thing about her," he said. "Last preparation she won a Canterbury maiden first-up and this time in she has taken on open mares company and won."

The Coolmore Classic and Doncaster Handicap are other options Pride is considering for Regal Cheer, who was heavily backed late from $3.50 to start $2.80 favourite.
 

AAP