The New Zealand-bred gelding has travelled a long path to Charry's Bendigo stable, but looks to have found his niche following a victory at only his second attempt over the hurdles.

By Design, ridden by Braidon Small, was five-lengths off the leader Holburt as they rounded the final turn, but finished with a powerful burst to score an eye-catching one-length win over the 3200m trip.

The win came at the gelding's sixth start for his new trainer and only his second ever over the jumps, following on from a third in his hurdling debut at Casterton last month.

"We only bought him off an on-site auction probably in about November and have only had him for this preparation, but so far so good," Charry said.

"His last four runs, he's improved every time. (Tuesday) was pretty much his peak performance this time in.

"He'll only have the one more run this preparation, possibly two, and then we will put him away for next year.

"I don't see any issue with him running a lot further next preparation.

"We don't have anything in particular in mind, possibly something over the staying hurdles, but we'll wait and see."

Charry is By Design's fourth trainer.

The gelding started his racing career in New Zealand, where he won on debut and had two starts, before making his way to Australia, where he was initially trained by Darren Weir.

Following 12 starts for only one win across 2016 to 2018, he was transferred to the Ian Finn stable at Warwick Farm in September 18.

His 29 starts for Finn produced two wins and three minor placings on the flat before he was sold late last year.

Charry, who has enjoyed success with jumpers before, most recently with Grassini, was quietly confident By Design could develop into a handy type over the hurdles.

"He's pretty good at it, (and) I love the jumps," he said.

"I had a reasonable jumper (Lennox Castle) about 30-years ago, but we hadn't had any until we had Grassini, who was a horse who showed he could stay and was pretty tough, so we hurdled him and he was pretty good.

"(By Design) does all the right things, he's tough, stays well and handles the wet, so it's onwards and upwards really.

"It's a pity we didn't get him a couple of years younger, not that I see any issues with him racing on for a few more years."

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