France Soir, Thursday night's impressive conqueror of a red hot field in the Group 2 Dapto Puppy Auction Classic, will now be set for next month's Group 1 National Derby at Wentworth Park.
"I haven't thought a long way ahead because I was concentrating so much on the Dapto race but the Derby is the obvious goal,'' trainer Anthony Azzopardi said.
"The dog will have a couple of weeks off and then I'll prepare him for the Derby heats on January 23.''
France Soir led throughout to win his Dapto Puppy heat in 29.60 but was more impressive in the final, as he had to bullock his way along the rails at the first turn.
He then gave tearaway leader Pantera Nera a big start on the back straight before surging to the lead halfway down the straight and winning in a sizzling 29.57.
At 25 months of age France Soir is almost the ideal age for the Derby, which is open to youngsters whelped on or after July, 2013.
France Soir is named after owner Amanda Stollery's favourite restaurant, a South Yarra, Melbourne icon which has been operating seven days a week lunch and dinner for three decades.
The dog's trainer Azzopardi, who has been sweeping all before him at recent Wentworth Park meetings, is set to hold a strong hand in the Derby as his 2015 Group 1 Vic Peters Classic winner Zambora Brockie is also eligible for the age restricted event.
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El Magnifico, who posted a fastest time of the night 26.17 in a 472m performance trial at Bulli on Friday night, is being prepared for the heats of the next $10,000 Wentworth Park Maiden Series on Wednesday, December 23.
The unraced El Magnifico, a son of El Grand Senor and Little Grey, winner of five races at Wentworth Park, is trained by Julie Fletcher.
"He has not yet been tested around two turns but I'm certain El Magnifico will handle Wentworth Park,'' Fletcher said.
El Magnifico's litter brother Super Senor is also a potential star, having won a 400m performance trial at Bulli on Friday night in a slick 22.41.
"Super Senor has tremendous early speed and will make his race debut next Friday in a maiden heat and final series,'' Fletcher said.
"If El Magnifico and Super Senor have a fault it is that they go hard left when they come out of the starting boxes.
"When I trial them up the straight they don't because they are trailing the lure up the centre of the track but they are so keen that with the mechanical lure on the inside rail that is where they head.''
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Lord Gee, who defeated Aphorism, Tiggerlong Katut and No Donuts in the 2015 New Sensation on April 4, is on the comeback trail.
Lord Gee took the lead at the first turn to win the Group 3 Wentworth Park race by just over two lengths but broke a hock less than a month later.
"He resumed racing at Maitland on Thursday and found trouble before finishing down the course in the race won by his brother and kennelmate Master Gee,'' trainer Christine Proctor said.
"What was encouraging is that Lord Gee pulled up well and no sign of favouring the old injury.
"Master Gee's fast win in 25.01 surprised me because he has also been on the sidelines, with a bad wrist injury.
"So far I have only been putting Master Gee and Lord Gee around big, one turn tracks so the big test will come when I test them on tighter courses.''
