A successful riding experiment conducted by jockey Larry Cassidy on the instruction of trainer Michael Nolan has resurrected ambitious summer carnival aspirations for promising Toowoomba gelding Zahas Pride.

Nolan told Cassidy to take a sit on Zahas Pride instead of assuming his customary frontrunner's role and the gelding responded in grand style by scoring a gritty win in the Zig Zag Foundation Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Nolan said he had set Zahas Pride for a shot at the Summer Series prior to his last-start flop but confirmed the features were back on the agenda after the horse outgunned Rasmussen to win by a half-neck.

"I don't know what happened last start but I'll have to rethink what I do with him now after that effort," Nolan said.

"He really attacked the line today and he's a good miler. Whether he backs up in the Brisbane Handicap I'm not sure but he will have a crack at the other good races."

Zahas Pride settled perfectly behind Rasmussen in a very slowly-run race and then overpowered the leader and held off the grand warhorse Mitanni who ran bravely under 59kg to finish a length back third.

Nolan said if Zahas Pride doesn't start in next week's Brisbane Handicap he will run next in the $75,000 Recognition Handicap (1600m) at Eagle Farm on November 28.

Earlier, lanky jockey Tony Pattillo was rewarded for his bullish ride when he lifted Sword Of Damocles off the canvas for a narrow win in the House Of Cruising Handicap (1200m).

Pattillo had little hesitation in hitting the accelerator and sending Sword Of Damocles straight to the front off his outside barrier and the horse responded gamely to his daring tactics.

Sword Of Damocles was out on his feet close to the line but held off the fast-finishing Another Takeover to score by a nose with The Crusader two lengths away third.

Sword Of Damocles has now been successful at his past three runs and the victory took his record to seven wins and three placings from 16 starts for prizemoney nudging $110,000.