Consistent galloper Niconero broke through for a deserved Melbourne Group 1 success in today`s Futurity Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield.

The six-year-old, prepared and part-owned by David Hayes, has placed in seven Group 1 races but had to go to West Australia to finally break through for one in last year`s Fruit N Veg Stakes.

Fresh-up from a spell he racked up one of those top level placings with a fast finishing second, beaten a nose, in the Orr Stakes, but today had the race won at the top of the straight.

After settling second last off a good speed set up by Publishing and Tears I Cry, jockey Craig Williams angled out wider and moved up around the bend and quickly set out after Publishing, who had shaken off the challengers.

He tore away and set up a winning break to score over Cargo Cult, who also ran on from well back.

Niconero`s two stablemates, Miss Finland and Molotov, fought out third and fourth.

Hayes rated the performance a career best of the son of Danzero who has won more than $1.5 million in earnings.

"I was surprised how easily he won," Hayes said. "He`s in career best form and it`s nice to see him win after missing out in all those Group 1`s. He`s a genuine group 1 horse and has run into all my good horses but he might be coming of age."

Hayes said he will sit down with connections before deciding on what to do next with the gelding, but the Futurity win is a good start being the first leg of the Asian Mile Challenge.

The four race series has more than $12 million in prizemoney and bonuses on offer, with the other three races being the Dubai Duty Free (1777m) at Nad Al Sheba on 29 March, the Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin in Hong Kong on 27 April and the Yasuda Kinen (1600m) at Tokyo Racecourse in Japan on 8 June.

His best form is at a mile and the Doncaster Handicap looks the logical Sydney autumn target.

The winners stablemate Miss Finland, turned in a solid effort to come from the tail but took forever to warm up in the straight to just grab third.