Kiwi acquisition Inundation has made the step to city company in stunning fashion with an impressive win at Caulfield to remain unbeaten this campaign.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained galloper headed to Saturday's Lamaro's Hotel Handicap (1000m) off the back of victories at Mornington and on the Pakenham Synthetic.
Inundation had scored by 3-½ lengths and 3-¼ lengths respectively on the country circuit and while the winning margin was not as great on Saturday, he was more impressive.
Sent out the $3.40 favourite under Jye Mcneil, Inundation raced to a three-length win from Squid Game ($3.50) with Nice For What ($18) a further 1-¾ lengths away third.
Kent Jnr said Inundation was an exciting prospect, but in the short-term there was no special plans for the gelding, although he may return to Caulfield for an 1100m contest in two weeks' time.
"We've had no big ambitions, we're just capitalising on his rating and trying to earn some prize money for his connections," Kent Jnr said.
"But Starry Legend and Squid Game are no slouches and he's toyed with them today at his fourth start.
"There is one more race on the calendar in two weeks' time, but Mick's in Queensland, so we'll talk to him, talk to the owners and work out whether we go there or put him away.
"He's a big raw horse and still furnishing and clearly there is more to come."
McNeil was back aboard Inundation after riding the three-year-old in his maiden win at Mornington and said he could feel the improvement the colt had made from that victory.
"He's obviously a speed horse but he's really improved since I rode him at Mornington and he felt even better on top of the ground, on a better surface today," McNeil said.
"He's obviously taken good progression and confidence from his first couple of wins and the team have got him in great order."
Inundation won two trials in New Zealand out of Jenna Mahoney’s Byerley Park stable before being purchased in a deal brokered privately through well-respected bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo.
“He was just a beautifully balanced horse and when he won his second trial at Te Rapa he showed a great action,” Cataldo said.
“He was always going to be about 16hh and he was nice and correct with a good brain and he was beautifully prepared by Jenna.”
Cataldo, who is often associated with sourcing horses that excel from 1400m and beyond from New Zealand, said the speedier Inundation wasn’t initially snapped up by clients.
“I was surprised, I had a real job selling that horse. I couldn’t believe it, I thought for sure he’d be popular for Hong Kong, but maybe his sire Headwater was a question mark at the time.
“He looks a 1000m or 1200m horse for sure and that will be why the Australians were a bit reluctant to buy him at first as they have plenty of that type, but I am pleased that he looks like another nice horse for Mick and Michael who have done very well with horses sourced from New Zealand, whether it be through the sales or from our trials or races.