Sentiment can sometimes overrule the eye.
Wingatui trainer Joanne Hillis might err on the side of sentiment more often now, after Colchester won his third race in just five starts at Wingatui yesterday.
The son of Rios took just 200m to demonstrate he is better than the rating 75 grade he lined up in over 1200m yesterday.
Apprentice jockey Racha Cuneen sat last with the 4yr-old before poking through a gap 200m out and bursting clear.
But Hillis said she never had any great plans for Colchester when she bought him for $5500 at the 2013 national weanling, broodmare and mixed bloodstock sale at Karaka.
''He was really just a mate for the other one that I bought and the other one [a Librettist-Piece of Art colt] broke its leg,'' Hillis said.
''The reason I bought him is the third dam is Isla Bijou and dad [Bill Hillis] trained it.''
Hillis will consider a run at Riccarton during New Zealand Cup week for the talented sprinter, although she will not extend him too far in this term.
''I don't think I'll take him over more than 1600 at this campaign - 1600m is his lot.''
A mile [1600m]could also be the distance for Tapilize in the future after she won the first 1200m maiden on yesterday's card.
The 4yr-old had four runs under her belt in distances from 1200m to 1400m since October 2015 prior to her fresh-up effort yesterday.
''She just raced a bit greenly and was a little weak as a 3yr-old so she's come back good,'' co-trainer Kerry Taplin said.
''I was expecting her to be in the first three, definitely. She had galloped really nice heading into it but didn't get any trials so we just had to gallop her and get her fit. I think she's a miler.''
