It will be two-mile business as usual for Who Shot Thebarman later this year.

The durable New Zealand-bred and owned stayer has an outstanding record over the ultimate flat distance and one which he recently added to with his gallant second in the Gr.1 Sydney Cup.

The Chris Waller-trained son of Yamanin Vital beat all bar the English visitor Polarisation, who was in receipt of five and a half kilos.

"If you squared up the weights our bloke would have won easily," said part-owner Dan O'Leary.

It was the gelding's fourth appearance in the Sydney Cup, having finished unplaced in his first attempt in 2014, runner-up the following year and fourth 12 months ago.

He has also run in three Gr.1 Melbourne Cups – third in 2014, unplaced in 2015 and fifth last year – and he won the Gr.1 Auckland Cup in 2014.

"He'll be spelled now and we'll be looking at Melbourne in the spring again," O'Leary said.

"It will probably be similar to last year and target the Moonee Valley Cup and then flow into the Melbourne Cup. He's still competitive at the top level."

Who Shot Thebarman, whose earnings have nearly reached the $3 million mark, was bought by O'Leary's brother Michael as a weanling from the Anderton family's White Robe Lodge in New Zealand's South Island for just $15,000.

"Who shot the barman?'' was the cry of Dan O'Leary's Aunt Julie whenever her gin ran out and the horse named in her honour has proved a good excuse for the four O'Leary brothers — Dan, Michael, Shaun and Humphrey — and their families to get together.

Dan O'Leary has also enjoyed trans-Tasman success with Mako, who may be back for another campaign.

"He hurt a tendon, but we might give him one more go," he said.

O'Leary prepared Mako from his Marton base to win three races and dead-heat for second in the Gr.3 Hawke's Bay Cup before he joined Waller's Sydney stable.

The Ustinov gelding collected a further three wins and a placing in his six starts for the champion trainer before he was side-lined.