Waipukurau galloper Dez added his name to the conversation around next month’s Gr.3 eStar Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton when he took out the Hanley Formula Whyte Handicap (1600m) at Trentham on the weekend.

Currently languishing in 28th position on the order of entry for the Group Three feature, the win in open handicap company should move the Simon Wilson trained galloper into contention for a confirmed place in the race’s final line-up.

Punters had been expecting an improved performance from Dez who had finished an unlucky ninth in rating 75 company at Awapuni at his last start after being blocked for a run in the home straight.

Sent out the $4.20 second favourite behind the well fancied Rosewood, the lightly raced six-year-old landed some good bets as he finished determinedly along the inner for rider Darryl Bradley to snatch the win from Hand It To Jonesy by a long neck, with Rosewood a head away in third.

“He put it all together today in conditions that suited him,” said Wilson after the race.

“He always seems to hit a dead spot at the 600m mark and I thought we were in a bit of trouble, but he just kept coming and giving along the inside.

“He was lucky it opened up for him along the inner and it worked perfectly. He’s been well rewarded with the win today.”

Wilson indicated he wouldn’t be making an immediate decision on a trip to Riccarton however it was clearly in his thinking.

“We’ll just see what happens,” he said.

“We’ll get home and evaluate but we could possibly look that way.”

Rider Darryl Bradley was full of praise for his charge’s effort.

“I was warned about him hitting a flat spot, so I knew what was going to happen,” he said.

“When he did I was able to pick him up and get him going again.

“He fought extremely well. This horse has done a good job.”

The victory took Dez’s career record to four wins from just the eight starts, with two of those wins having come in this campaign following a two and a half year break due to a tendon injury.