Ken Keys says it is only a dream, but he could give Like A Carousel his chance to qualify for a Melbourne Cup start after his Sandown win.

Key Keys is keeping the Melbourne Cup dream alive with Like A Carousel after the stayer won the Harry White Classic at Sandown on Saturday.

It could be the start of the big weekend for Keys who has Group-winning colt Rich Enuff in Sunday's Caulfield Guineas Prelude.

In a race where Masked Marvel and Martian opened up a big margin on the rest of the field mid-race before the chasing pack reeled them in early in the straight, Like A Carousel showed his staying ability to win just the second race of his career.

He scored by 1-1/2 lengths over favourite Mulaqen ($4.40) with the same margin to Unchain My Heart ($5) third.

Masked Marvel weakened out to finish last while Martian finished sixth.

Keys has Like A Carousel, who finished fourth in this year's Adelaide Cup, entered for the Melbourne Cup.

He could try to secure a place in the Cup field via the Lexus Stakes - a race which carries a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup.

Keys said Like A Carousel was an out-and-out stayer and might be just starting to hit his straps.

"He's a beauty," Keys said.

"The reality is he's a five-year-old now and is just coming into his own. What we've seen up until now was probably an immature horse."

Keys said the Bendigo Cup could be another option for Like A Carousel.

Keys has already enjoyed spring carnival success this year with three-year-old Rich Enuff claiming the Listed Mitchell McKenzie Stakes and Group Two Danehill Stakes.

He steps to 1400m in Sunday's Guineas Prelude.

Trainer Luke Oliver prepared a double with four-year-old mare Khutulun scoring a first-up win over 1300m.

Stablemate Arena Rock followed up with victory in the the CBS Complete Business Services Handicap (1500m).