A significant step up in class beckons Lauding following his maiden success at Taupo on Wednesday.

Trainer Tony Pike will now consider a crack at black-type company for the three-year-old son of Proisir off the back of a slender victory in his first appearance over a middle distance.

“He had a pretty tough run from a wide gate and was three deep most of the way and obviously worked into the race very early so it was a good, solid staying effort against older horses,” Pike said.

Lauding settled toward the tail of the field before he was on the move under rider Kozzi Asano down the back straight.

From fifth on the turn, he strode up to challenge 200m from home to break through in the Become A Sign Supporters @ Taupo Maiden (2000m), but not before a late scare for jockey and connections.

“Kozzi sat up two strides before the post and the horse pricked his ears and pulled up when he was probably going to win by half a-length,” Pike said.

“He doesn’t really know what he’s doing yet, but he is a staying horse and is only going to get better with racing.”

Future options for Lauding now include the Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2000m) at Awapuni on April 1 and the Gr.3 Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes (2100m) at Pukekohe on April 22.

“We’ll see how he pulls up and might look at running him at Awapuni and maybe the Pukekohe race,” Pike said.

“If he keeps progressing the right way, we’ll keep the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at the back of our minds. He’ll run a pretty strong 2400m against three-year-olds.”

Lauding had finished a debut second over 1400m at Taupo at the beginning of last month before he was narrowly beaten over 1600m at Pukekohe after a wide run without cover.

“He’s just one of those horses that will keep getting better as he gets more racing. He’s a genuine stayer and the more practice he gets the better he will be,” Pike said.

Lauding is raced by Rich Hill Stud’s Communications Manager Karl Mihaljevich, who bred the horse.

He is a brother to dual winner Lady Proisir with their dam the Istidaad mare Lady Lucille, a winner of four races up to 2200m who finished fourth in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).