"He was a very timid horse and used to run on fear when he first raced," trainer Richard Jolly said at Morphettville Parks yesterday.

"He was desperate to get in front of everything early on, but he's learning to settle and relax."

The Mossman two-year-old was four lengths in front of the field at the finish of the Group 3 SA Sire's Produce Stakes (1400m) yesterday, with jockey Chad Lever having an armchair ride.

Jolly has been adamant Stirling Grove, who won his first start by nine lengths in the Fulham Park Plate, would be more than a speedy squib.

The trainer will step him out over a mile in the Listed Oaklands Plate next start on Super Sunday, May 2.

"Why not push on to the mile? He was very strong today and it's a $100,000 race," Jolly added.

Victorian colt Toorak Toff, who defeated Stirling Grove in the final stride of Group 3 The Jansz last start, confirmed the form after running a mighty race for fourth in the Group 1 Sires in Sydney.

Former South Australian Jockey Club chairman and principal owner John Naffine made the acceptance speech on behalf of the other owners.

In a moment of irony, Bill Spear, Naffine's adversary in the boardroom and legal battles surrounding the SAJC, presented the trophy.