Joao Moreira's smash and grab raid on Golden Rose day has left Chris Waller with two strong Epsom Handicap hopes.

Hong Kong's champion jockey showed the Rosehill crowd why he is considered one of the world's best riders as he guided Mackintosh to victory in the Group Two Theo Marks Stakes on Saturday.

The Chris Waller-trained Mackintosh ($9) sat behind the speed during the race before grabbing the lead at the 150m mark and holding on to beat fast-finishing stablemate Counterattack ($4) with $3 favourite Southern Legend third.

It was Moreira's second win from three rides for Waller on Saturday after he claimed the Group Three Kingston Town Stakes on McCreery.

Only Godolphin colt Astern's devastating turn of foot prevented Moreira from winning the Group One Golden Rose on Omei Sword.

"It's the best of feelings," Moreira said.

Waller said McCreery and Mackintosh will head to the Group One Epsom Handicap at Randwick on October 1.

He said Moreira and Sydney's leading riders had raised the bar with their performances.

"He is exceptional," Waller said.

Mackintosh's first-up Theo Marks win over 1300m convinced Waller the 1600m Epsom trip should suit.

"He's gone to a new level today performing like that in a good field of Group Two sprinters," Waller said.

Mackintosh's path to the Epsom is set to mirror Winx's.

The champion mare won the Theo Marks first-up on her way to a dominant Epsom win, her fourth straight victory in a streak which now sits at 10.

Mackintosh has now won four of his five starts for Waller since he was transferred to Sydney's premier stable from New Zealand trainer James Bridge.

Counterattack will be aimed at the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and Toorak Handicap.