More to Come

With the clouds rapidly closing in on another racing season it's timely to reflect on some untapped talent set for brighter lights.

This selection tends to steer away from the obvious exposed horses. Whether it can identify a Mosse, Fix or a Nashville like a similar article last year is a steep challenge, but hopefully one it is up to. 

Ringo (Fastnet Rock - Akris by Zabeel): Considerably more backward than his full sister Planet Rock as a yearling, the three-year-old gelding has sensibly been given plenty of time to mature. That patience looks set to reap real reward next season going by his four start autumn campaign which produced a second on debut to a talented type, followed by three comfortable victories, the second and third wins coming on slow going that he did not look entirely suited by. Should get a strong 2000m.

Sacred Park (Thorn Park - Dosh by Danske): Lovely type not seen since winning impressively on debut at Te Rapa in May on a Heavy 10. Highly regarded by the stable who know a thing or two about preparing young talent. Despite not looking completely at home in the conditions there was a lot to like about the way he applied himself to the task, especially the way he attacked the line late. Could be a genuine guineas candidate.

Remise (Reset - Arlanda by Straight Strike): Franked her second placing to Mosse at her only start last season by beating Diademe when resuming at Tauranga in October. Struck interference at her next two starts, before bolting away with a 1400m contest at Ellerslie in early December. Not seen since. Has a real turn of foot and a pedigree to suggest she can make the transition to stakes company next season.

Thunderbird One (Storm Creek-Lowan Behold by Umatilla): Gifted but headstrong four-year-old gelding who clearly has the ability to win a nice race if he can mature mentally. Unbeaten in four starts for the season despite racing greenly on each occasion. He injured himself when having a brief let-up after winning his last start in November at Te Rapa over 1600m, but is back in training for a new preparation.

Waterford (Darci Brahma - Crystal Hailey by Greinton): Half sister to the talented Veronica Franco, the three-year-old filly may have failed to win this season but placings in the Gold Trail Stakes and 1000 Guineas are testimony to her class and as a tall, leggy individual she gives the impression she maybe subject to greater physical improvement next season than many of her contemporaries. Although she looks and races like a middle distance type, her breeding tends to suggest that she is more comfortable at around 1600m.

Ambitious Champion (Zed - Simply Sally by Sackford): Responsible for two of the better performances on northern tracks during the season, the three-year-old has serious untapped potential. He races like a real stayer and, when ridden accordingly he has shown he can generate a sustained finishing burst which he rolls into rather than noticably changing stride. Exciting staying prospect at 2000m and further who maybe up to a decent Australian handicap in time.

Dillinger (Pins - Raining by Centaine): South Island trained three-year-old who campaigned extensively up north over the summer months. Didn't have the maturity to settle sufficiently when tried over ground, presumably with the Derby in mind, but excelled when reverted to 1400-1600m. Victorious at Ellerslie on Cup day despite sitting three wide for a greater part of the 1600m event, then rounded off season with a strong finishing second at Trentham on Oaks day. Game, athletic son of Pins with the physical scope to improve further at four.

Albany Reunion (Fastnet Rock - Secret Silence by Fusiachi Pegasus): A comfortable winner on debut over 1200m against the older horses despite losing a plate during the running, the three-year-old then defied his 18-1 price with a staggering performance at his second and final start for the season. After racing three wide throughout the entire set weight group 3 1200m event, he only failed by a half a length to run down the pacemaker So Wotif who ended the season our highest rated three-year-old sprinter. Up to winning a Railway or Telegraph in time.

Salamanca (Alamosa - Anca by Howbaddowantit): First season sire Alamosa has made a promising start with five of his eight N.Z starters winning including this colt who is the first foal the former leading sprinting mare Anca. Debuted in early April  and showed good speed to lead from a wide draw and after momentarily looking under pressure on the turn, he came away over the final 200m to record a comfortable win in good time. Taken to Riccarton for the Listed Champagne Stakes at Riccarton, a race which often produces a quality three-year-old, he again showed a lot of courage to win on a very heavy track, defeating amongst others the well regarded Franzac.  From the same family as Ambitious Dragon he adds further depth to an intriguing mix of guineas talent.

Orion (O'Reilly - Alzira by Bertolini): Whether it was the Opie Bosson factor that made the two-year-old colt favourite, but the stable actually favoured their other first starter Genus when both youngsters debuted at Te Rapa in late April. Despite a slow start and interference in the home straight, Orion quickened like a good horse over the final stages to record a comfortable win. Not seen since the current plan is to take the colt to Melbourne this spring with stablemate It's A Dundeel.

Beauty Perception (Zabeel by Sadlers Home by Sadlers Wells):  Full brother to Kelt runner-up Zarius who debuted this season as a four-year-old finishing his first campaign with an encouraging two wins and two placings from seven starts. Not the big type of Zabeel but still looks to have plenty of scope for maturing, so with natural improvement and our older staying ranks low on quality it would be no surprise to see him take a nice handicap from a low position in the weights next season.

Close to making the cut were Fantastic Honour, Esquina, Neena Rock, Dubai Shuffle and Inishmaan.