HAVING registered his maiden local Cup win during the weekend, David Phillips is ready to travel out of his zone to follow the country cup circuit in coming weeks.
Phillips captured Saturday night's Mount Gambier Trotters' Cup with Stockman Peter - the first squregaiter he has trained!
Positive the rig can add to the trophy cabinet, Phillips has set his sights on next week's The Hambletonian in Gawler.
Strathalbyn's Trotters' Cup at Globe Derby a fortnight later is also on the agenda.
"He's had five starts for us for four wins and we haven't pushed all his buttons yet," Phillips said. "I've got no doubt he can go a lot further.
"I'll head to Gawler next Monday for The Hambletonian, then the Strathalbyn Cup is good money at $20,000 after that, so we'll be going for that too.
"I haven't looked beyond those two races at this stage, but I'm sure there will be good options for him."
Driven by Mark Phillips, Stockman Peter led from the pole before being eased to take a trail behind the favourite, Johns Boy.
With Johns Boy drifting off the pegs along the back straight, Stockman Peter was dashed through the opening before sprinting to a nine-and-a-half metre win from Johns Boy.
Sonarmi Joh was eight metres away in 2:12 over 2580 metres.
"I was so confident before the race, I didn't think he could be beaten," Phillips said. "Everything panned out for him and he went with a bit up his sleeve."