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Stakes goals for next season have already been identified for the exciting Don Carlo.
The son of Per Incanto has fashioned a smart record with three wins from his first six appearances and black type targets during New Zealand Cup week are on his four-year-old programme.
“At this stage he’s going to Riccarton on Saturday week for a 1000 metre race,” trainer Michael Daly said.“We haven’t made any decisions after that, but he could go for a break. Long-term we’re looking at the Pegasus and the Stewards.”
Raced by his breeder Rod Moore, the early form of Don Carlo hasn’t escaped potential overseas buyers.“He’s turned down a bit of money for him,” Daly said. “Rod’s an Englishman and he’s happy to give them time and race a nice horse.
“Don Carlo was only 90 per cent right when he won last time out at Riccarton and he still ran a tick over 1.09. He’s a special horse and all the form around him is very good.”Don Carlo was a debut winner last season and downed a field that included the subsequent stakes winners Zigwig, La Diosa and Residential.
In his latest victory, he then beat the highly-regarded quartet of Kiwi Ida, Sensei and What Choux Want.Meanwhile, stablemate Mystic Power will strip a fitter horse at Riccarton on Thursday with his most recent run for second under his belt.
The four-year-old has fashioned a tidy record in a brief career and he looks a strong each-way chance in the Christchurch Casino Rating 75.“He was very good last time out and he’ll be a good show,” Daly said.
Mystic Power, who has two wins and two placings from seven runs, had suffered a setback with a foot problem prior to his last run.