Naval College has been one of the revelations of Sydney racing over the summer and a narrow victory in the Australia Day Cup extended the stayer's sequence to a hat-trick of wins.

After breaking a longstanding course record over 2000m at Rosehill, Naval College was sent out the $1.35 favourite in Friday's Listed race over 2400m at Warwick Farm.

Torrens ($11), ridden by Jenny Duggan, set the early pace and it was left to the five-year-old Naval College to reel them in.

With Torrens kicking back on the rail and a fast-finishing Kirkeby ($26) joining in late, Naval College dug deeply enough to win by a long head with Kirkeby a nose away third.

"I don't want that again," jockey James McDonald said.

"He gives his all, that is for sure.

"The complexion of the race just changed at the 1000 (metre mark) and it (having to chase) wasn't a great position to be in especially with the big weight (58.5kg).

"He did such a good job to soldier it out like he did but I was in two minds – I didn't know what to do actually – to chase it or come back.

"Jenny rode a good race and just got beaten but full credit to my horse."

This is UK import Naval College's second preparation in Australia having made his racing debut in Sydney in April.