Promising three-year-old Turn the Ace showed he won't be troubled by the longer distances as he matures into his imposing frame.
The leggy son of Turn Me Loose had to carry topweight of 59.5kgs under rider Craig Grylls but proved too strong for his opposition when winning the 3YO Winter Championship Series final (1600m) at Ruakaka yesterday.
At his last start the Andrew Forsman-trained gelding had been caught late over 1400m when feeling the effects of lumping a similar impost on a very heavy surface at Tauranga, but this time he found plenty in the run home on the improved soft6 footing.
"I thought he was well placed if he could get the trip as last time I think he conceded 7kg to the winner [Musigny Lass], whereas [yesterday] there was only 4kg between him and the bottom weight," Forsman said.
Turn The Ace holds a nomination for the Group 3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton on August 6, however Forsman is wary about making the long trip south with him.