Trainer Kirstin Barclay may need to have her phone on silent if Paddyproudfoot goes another eye-catching race at Winton today.
The 3yr-old put in an big late finish to run second from well back in the field in his first start at Invercargill on Saturday.
The performance pleased Barclay, but she needed a receptionist the following day.
''On Sunday the phone never stopped ringing. Every agent in New Zealand must have rung. I have never had that happen before.''
Strong Australian demand for the stock of Washington VC may have played a part in the interest, she said.
But instead of being shipped off, the horse will be staying in the South and hopefully progressing toward better races such as the Southern Supremacy Stakes later in the season.
The way the horse has improved in such a short time makes his trainer hopeful he can get to that class.
''He has done everything on this preparation. From his workouts through to his race he has got better with every run,'' she said.
Paddyproudfoot takes on a classy line-up of 3yr-olds over 2400m today and he will need to be at his best to win if some of his rivals live up to their pre-race hype.
Nota Bene Denario, The Heart Rulz, Killowat Kid and Lawrence all have recent winning trial and workout form, while Frankie D and Dodgethebullet has handy race-day form.
Nota Bene Denario looked classy winning a Canterbury trial and workout before being sold with a big price-tag and joining the Terry and Glenys Chmiel stable and winning another preparatory run.
The Heart Rulz also looked useful in winning a trial and workout before being unplaced in his latest hit-out behind Lawrence.
What none of that quartet has the is benefit of race experience, which Proudfootpaddy does, though that does not mean his trainer is confident about him flying out of barrier 1 like a seasoned professional for driver Blair Orange.
''That is my only concern. He has never been rushed off the gate, but Blair is one of the best in New Zealand so I will leave it to him,'' Barclay said.
TAB bookmakers opened Paddyproudfoot a $5 second-favourite for the race behind Nota Bene Denario at $2.50, while The Heart Rulz opened at $5.50.
Orange will also combine with another handy 3yr-old in Rockaball in race 8. The horse should relish not having to compete against the slick Benio Ben when he also lines up from barrier 1.
The Ken and Tony Barron-trained pacer won from that draw, after showing handy gate speed, in his first start at Addington in August.
Rockaball opened at a $1.55 in the race's fixed-odds market.
Orange will steer Shards Halo for Temuka trainer Brent White when she takes on a handy field of mares in race 7.
The Graeme Anderson-trained Millwood Daisy headed the early market for the event at $3.50 ahead of the Gypsy's Choice and Leigh Major, both at $5.
