Progressive galloper Sophrosyne steps up in grade but is expected to measure up in today's strong heat of the TROA Luxbet Winter Championship at Bendigo.

This third heat of the rich series, an open handicap over 1400m, looks a strong race and a capacity field but Sophrosyne looks hard to beat with his light weight.

Prepared at Flemington by Mike Moroney, the gelding drew wide and was well held fresh up the straight six furlongs on his home track, finishing 7.5 lengths from the winner Diplomatic Force.

To 1400m next start though he improved sharply where he settled worse than midfield before running on strongly for a 3.3 length third behind Testa My Patience.

Back home over 1400m he settled midfield and was there throughout but just didn't finish it off, ending up eighth behind Niblick.

Back in grade and up to 1500m at Betfair Park Lakeside he had a big weight and wide gate and drifted well back but charged home to finish a nose second behind Resetable.

Last start, again over 1500m on the Lakeside course, he again drew wide but this time rolled forward and settled third before kicking away with a two length win.

While he takes on a tougher grade here he drops 4kg on the win and has drawn better in barrier seven.

In-from rider Lisa Cropp is aboard and the gelding handles all conditions.

The big field and good pace will suit and on his last run he should be getting to the line strongly.

Speaking of finding the line, the Jason Clifford-trained Rocky Times did just that last start and looks a big danger.

The lightly-raced gelding hit the line hard at Devonport fresh-up before measuring up to weight-for-age grade in the Listed Lyons Stakes over 1400m at Hobart, hitting the line hard again for a close-up second behind Conquering.

He headed across to the mainland and again ran on well for a 1.5 length third at Betfair Park Lakeside, before drawing off the track over 1400m at Flemington and getting back to last in the big field before warming up late.

Last start, with five weeks between runs, he tackled the Listed Straight Six Stakes at Flemington and after settling last charged late to finish third behind Dubleanny.

That was an excellent run and he turned in some very slick sectionals in the run home.

Today he drops in grade, remains on the minimum, will be fitter for the run and is suited by the longer journey.

He handles all sorts of conditions and with a good gate should be camped off the speed and running on hard.

Tough Future is racing well and should be on the speed throughout.

Last start, over 1300m at Cranbourne, he sat close to the pace but joined in on the bend and ran away with an effortless win.

He loves the wet and it's unlikely he'll get it that range today but he does have four wins and a second form five runs on dead ground as well.

He has drawn well and should give a big sight.

There are plenty of second tier chances in the race but at longer odds it's worth throwing Tiakinui in to multiples.

He ran well below his best fresh-up in the Wangoom but has been set for the winter championship series and with a good gate a light weight and the longer journey is expected to improve out of sight.