Knoydart set himself up for a tilt at the Oakleigh Plate with a brilliant win in the Hareeba Stakes at Mornington.

The Darley-raced Knoydart has won all three starts this preparation since being gelded and scored his most impressive win here.

He was eased from his outside barrier (14) and settled just past midfield, wide with cover. Nash Rawiller switched him deep approaching the home turn, before accelerating impressively to dash to the lead half-way down the straight and was being eased down nearing the post to win by three and a quarter lengths.

Don’t Get Excited also race wide with cover from a difficult barrier (11) settling about seventh. Craig Newitt made a quick move with him to take the lead nearing the home turn and grabbed a clear break on straightening but had no answer to the winner’s finishing run to hold on for a good second.

The mare Hazard was eighth one off the rails before improving between runners coming to the turn. She then kept battling on quite well in the straight for third, beaten six lengths.

The second favourite Richie’s Vibe ($4.60) had a good trail, just past midfield but was under pressure coming to the turn and failed to run on under his top weight (60kg) to finish (eight lengths) seventh.