The promising five-year-old stayer came within inches of scoring his first city win last Friday night at Moonee Valley when narrowly beaten by the Maher-Eustace-trained Chains Of Honour in a benchmark 70 over 2500m.

Wellsford improved from seventh in the small field of nine at the 400m to be beaten by .1 of a length with a strong finishing burst.

Coming on the back of a drought-breaking win at Swan Hill late last month, there are clear signs the son of Monaco Consul and Deep Forest is starting to deliver on his promise.

"He's getting there and he's starting to live up to the hype he made for himself," he said.

"He ran a good race. He just runs all day, but he didn't quite get there in time.

"Rhys got off him and said 'he will just keep going at that speed' - the longer the race the better.

"Hopefully, we'll go to Flemington in three weeks' time and then there are a few 3000m races coming up, so we will head towards those."

On potential and talent, Robinson, who has 14 horses in his stable, rates Wellsford as likely the best of them.

"He has been frustrating, but we are getting somewhere now I feel," he said.

"He still just does a little bit wrong, but if he ever finally does everything right he will be a nice horse."

Meanwhile, Robinson's other stayer Equine Philosopher has been spelled following his fourth earlier this month in the $125,000 Kyneton Cup (2000m) behind Indiana Lily.

A bright nine race campaign included a pair of back-to-back wins at Echuca and Donald in August-September, and seconds in the $50,000 Murtoa Cup and $30,000 St Arnaud Cup in October before one last run at Kyneton.

Robinson said he was pleased with the four-year-old gelding's overall preparation, including his fourth at Kyneton, run on an unsuitable heavy 10.

"He's come a long way this prep, hopefully he comes back bigger and stronger," he said.

"Fingers crossed he'll win a few more."

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