AIDAN O'Brien had to settle for second as the fast-finishing Johannes Vermeer just failed to catch Gailo Chop in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

Katelyn Mallyon had O'Brien's charge towards the back of the field at the top of the straight in the 10-furlong heat, with Mark Zahra already well in control aboard Darren Weir's Gailo Chop.

With a furlong and a half to run, Gailo Chop had pulled a couple of lengths clear but Johannes Vermeer really began to motor and he was catching the ex-French-trained winner with every stride.

However, the line came just in time for Gailo Chop as Johannes Vermeer was just edged out.

O'Brien's other runner, The Taj Mahal, and the Willie Mullins-trained Riven Light were both unplaced.

Gailo Chop is now set to clash with Winx in the Cox Plate, although Weir concedes the supermare will be tough to beat.

He told www.racing.com: "He deserves his spot in the race now for sure. We'll head there now in fit order but with the way she (Winx) ran last week, you're probably going to be looking at second prize money. He deserves his spot and he's a lovely old horse."

Mallyon was thrilled with the effort of Johannes Vermeer and believes he can make his presence felt if O'Brien opts to turn him out again quickly.

She said: "He ran super. He really launched late and I think he has a really good chance next week in the Caulfield Cup."

Riven Light finished seventh and jockey Glen Boss felt the ground was too quick for his mount. He said: "He's pretty effective on wet tracks, but probably firm tracks not so much."