KEY POINTS:
Winning by nearly six lengths in an absolute canter at Woodville on Saturday was only half the rap put on rising star Mr Shanghai.
Co-trainer Stephen Autridge came up with the other half.
"I've said for some time he has the potential to be one of the best horses I've trained."
Which puts the handsome 3-year-old in very exclusive company.
Few who saw the win on Saturday would argue with that rating.
Certainly rider Cameron Lammas doesn't.
Mr Shanghai's time of 1.23.06 was 2.14 seconds faster than the only other 1400m race on the programme despite Lammas easing him down late in the race.
"He absolutely cantered," said a hugely impressed Lammas.
Mr Shanghai is a big, strong type with plenty of muscle, but Autridge says there is still improvement in him.
"He's getting better."
Autridge is aiming the horse at the $80,000 Wellington Stakes at Trentham on January 20 and has not dismissed the thought of backing him up a week later in the group one $200,000 Thorndon Mile.
"If he won the first day who knows if he'd make the Thorndon field and if he didn't win you wouldn't want to run in the Thorndon anyway."
* Opie Bosson did not ride at Woodville on Saturday because of an ankle injury, but will be back to take rides at Tauranga on Wednesday.
