With an impressive win over quality opposition, the rising star showed he had lost none of the ability that carried him to four wins and a narrow group 3 second from five starts in his initial campaign last winter.

The four year old peeled off a sizzling closing burst to run down quality mare Kulgrinda and convince Mornington trainer Jason Warren that he was worthy of a crack at the Golden Slipper winner, who, like Bel Sprinter, has tasted defeat just once.

"It's very much a relief. It's just good to see them get back to the track and do it," the trainer said. "He's obviously very good.

"I think he gets into Oakleigh Plate with no weight and that's been our plan all the way through. Now that we've got a run under our belt, it's a better way to take on the very smart horse in Sepoy, so we'll still have a crack at the Oakleigh Plate."

The $400,000 group 1 Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate (1100m) will be run at Caulfield on February 25.

Bel Sprinter, the son of Bel Esprit, will provide Sepoy with a big challenge if he reproduces his first-up effort, which saw him unleash a powerful finish from the second half of the field.

He started at $2.70 and scored by a length from Kulgrinda ($4), with former Queenslander Faster Son ($18) running a good race on debut for Caulfield trainer Mick Price to work home into third, a further two lengths away.

Jockey Ben Melham, who overcame the flu to guide Bel Sprinter to victory, said the way his charge settled after an early squeeze was a good sign looking ahead to the clash with Sepoy. "I've come here today a bit sick. I've got the flu, but he certainly made me feel a bit better," Melham said.

"He got a chop out at the start, which probably was a blessing in disguise, really. I wish it could happen every start.

"I was surprised at how well he relaxed after that. He's got a few little issues, but if he can relax like that there's a lot better things in store for him."