Mark Walker is under no illusion about the enormity of the task ahead of Dynastic in this weekend's Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Te Rapa.
The Matamata trainer was delighted with the winning effort of the three-year-old against older opposition on his home track on Saturday and the son of Almanzor has bounced through the run in top shape.
While Walker isn't worried about the quick back-up or the Derby trip, it's the presence of the Team Rogerson-prepared favourite and multiple Group One winner Sharp ‘N' Smart that tempers his confidence.
“Dynastic will lap up 2400m, he will see it out easily but Rogey's horse is going to be very hard to beat. He has already run out the Derby distance strongly in Melbourne, but we'll do our best,” he said.
Walker's charge carried topweight of 59kg over 2000m to easily account for his older opposition on Saturday in the hands of Opie Bosson, who will take the mount again in the Classic.
“It's not easy in Rating 75 grade for a three-year-old and I'm a firm believer that a win gives horses confidence so it was a very good effort,” he said.
Dynastic was one of four winners for the stable with Tokyo Tycoon and Zourion completing the two-year-old feature race double with their respective victories in the Group 3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) and the Group 2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes (1200m) while Skew Wiff won in Rating 65 company.
A stellar weekend for Te Akau also featured wins at Otaki from Brando and Wairau Cove and a double strike in Singapore for the Donna Logan-trained pair of Our Secret Weapon and Luxury Brand.
Undefeated in four starts, Tokyo Tycoon will step out next in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) while a decision will be made later this week on the immediate future of Zourion, who also has a perfect record from two outings.
“Tokyo Tycoon doesn't do too much in trackwork and is just one of those horses that gets to race day in the zone so he definitely goes to the Sistema,” Walker said.
“Zourion will have a couple of days in the stable but there is no plan at this stage.”
Older stable star Imperatriz galloped with Maven Belle at Matamata and will be on a plane to Sydney this evening (Monday) ahead of her Australian debut in Saturday's Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) with James McDonald booked for the ride.
The Randwick sprint feature was viewed as a better fit for the mare, rather than the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington a week later.
“She's in such good form and it makes more sense to run at weight-for-age over 1300m,” Walker said.
Meanwhile, the stable's immediate focus is on Wednesday's Marton meeting at Awapuni where Family Ties and Sealed With A Kiss go head-to-head in the Group 2 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (2100m).
Both fillies hold nominations for the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) with the former successful last time out in the Oaks Prelude (1800m).
“Family Ties won well at New Plymouth, but probably not against the A-graders, but all she can do is win,” Walker said.
“Sealed With A Kiss is a bit highly strung and she will be having her first run over ground and on pedigree and I think we will see a pretty good performance.”
The Tarzino three-year-old is out of the Group 2 Counties Cup (2200m) winner Postmans Daughter and will be ridden by Sam Weatherley while Bosson rides Contributer filly Family Ties.