Julienas has been promoted to Sydney Cup favouritism after the import handled a quick back up and rise in distance with aplomb to win the N E Manion Cup at Rosehill.

Julienas stepped to 2400m in Saturday’s Listed race after taking out the Sky High Stakes (1900m) second-up a week earlier.

Aided by a perfectly-judged Jim Cassidy ride, Julienas stalked leader Pelicano during the run before leaving his rivals behind on the point of the home turn.

A well-backed favourite Julienas ($2.60), maintained a clear advantage all the way up the straight, defeating last year’s winner Permit ($6.50) by 1-1/4 lengths with a half head to Dance With Her ($11) third.

His win prompted TAB fixed odds to elevate the former UK stayer to $5.50 favouritism for next month’s Group One Sydney Cup (3200m) where he will head to via the Chairman’s Handicap.

“What an amazing performance by the horse,” trainer Gai Waterhouse said.

“He’ll probably start favourite in the Sydney Cup and should be too.”

While Waterhouse was happy to praise the lightly-raced six-year-old stayer who carried 59kg, Cassidy was quick to highlight the performance of the trainer.

Julienas raced over 1300m first-up before winning the Sky High Stakes last weekend.

Cassidy admitted he had his queries with Julienas backing up but said by the time the field had gone 400m and the horse had relaxed he felt victory was in the bag.

“He was up in weight and up in distance. Great training performance,” Cassidy said.

“Never underestimate her, what she can do with her horses.”