Boom New Zealand colt Cauthen put the record straight at Moonee Valley on Saturday as he announced himself as a serious Caulfield Guineas prospect.

Cauthen was a luckless second in his Australian debut at Moonee Valley but was not going to be denied again in the McKenzie Stakes.

Jockey James McDonald kept the colt out of trouble one off the fence before sending him for home on straightening in the Listed race.

The three-year-old, who started $2.60 favourite, had 1-1/2 lengths to spare over a classy field and joined another boom colt in Prince Harada at the head of TAB fixed odds betting for the Caulfield Guineas.

Cauthen moved from $8 for the Guineas before Saturday's race to joint favourite at $6.

Trainer Andrew Campbell also has the Cox Plate as "a dream" should the spring unfold as he hopes.

"That's the real Cauthen," a relieved Campbell said.

"It's pleasing to see him do that today. It makes life easier for us now."

After being slightly slow into stride, McDonald got going on Cauthen to sit fourth with Shamus Award on his inside.

Clevadude, who beat Cauthen over 1000m last start when the Kiwi horse struck trouble mid-race, took up the lead in the 1200m contest but by the time they straightened Cauthen was ready to pounce and raced clear from the 100m mark.

Shamus Award ($5.50) came in second while the previously unbeaten Long John ($6) hit the line strongly from last after going back from the outside gate.

With the pressure of getting stake money to get into the Caulfield Guineas eased, Cauthen will now progress to the Listed Henry Bucks Stakes (1400m), before the Caulfield Guineas Prelude and the Caulfield Guineas.

"He's got plenty of upside. He's still not wound right up yet," Campbell said.

McDonald said the colt's performance showed he was in for a bright future and was already looking for further.

"He's big, he's powerful and he's got the right attitude to be a very good horse," McDonald said.

Danny O'Brien said Shamus Award's first-up run was "super" and he's set to meet the winner again next start.

Paul Snowden felt the wide barrier played against Long John but is looking forward to him getting to 1400m, most likely also in the Henry Bucks.