Eskimo Dan has take the next step towards the Sydney Cup with an impressive staying performance to win the Open 2040m Handicap at Moonee Valley last night. With Damien Oliver aboard, he never looked like he was going to get beat from the 800m mark, cruising to a narrow but assertive victory. He is to have another run prior to his pilgrimage to Sydney for the Sydney Cup where he has been lightly weighted with 51kg.