Wingatui galloper Outram looks to be in for a big season, going by his impressive win at the Otago Racing Club's meeting yesterday.
The Brian and Shane Anderton-trained 4yr-old produced a huge finish from off the speed to win for rider Jacob Lowry on a day when racing appeared to favour horses close to the pace.
Outram's ability has not been in question during his five-start career, but his temperament has been.
"Last season he just wanted to go a hundred miles an hour, so we have just taken our time with him," Shane Anderton said.
"I think he can go on to better things. He should get up to 1400m and 1600m later on."
Outram, by the Andertons' sire Gallant Guru, raced unkindly in his first three starts but has now together back-to-back wins.
He is likely to race on the Otago summer circuit.
The choice of where could be the most vital part of the Andertons' planning for Outram's next start.
"He is such a big-striding horse he would be no good on some of the smaller tracks," Anderton said.
"We will try to pick out a nice race for him on one of the bigger tracks."
The biggest track in the South Island awaits Gallant Boy following his win in race 8, a 1400m open handicap.
The 9yr-old is set to start in the Coupland's Mile on the middle day of the New Zealand Cup carnival in Christchurch.
"We are paid up for the Coupland's Mile, so as long as he pulls up well he will go there," Anderton said.
Rider Corey Campbell had Gallant Boy handier to the speed than he has been in some of his 1400m starts.
Gallant Boy did not waste his chance when in striking position on the home turn, scoring by a half length over runner-up Irish Excuse.
