He had three unplaced runs as a juvenile before returning a stronger horse as a three-year-old, showcased by his two trial wins prior to Thursday’s triumph.

“He has strengthened up a lot this time in,” trainer Lisa Latta said. “He went shin sore a couple of times last time in, he has just taken a little while to develop. He is a very fast horse.”

Latta believes there is plenty instore for Belardo Boy but a question mark still surrounds his suitability for the mile distance of the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton in November, for which he holds a nomination.

“He has still got some improvement in him, his coat still isn’t quite there yet,” Latta said.

“I don’t know if he will see a mile out but we will press on and get him up over 1400m and get a line on where we are at with him.”

Meanwhile, Latta is looking forward to lining up stablemate Rock Island Line (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop) in the Gr.3 Boehringer Ingerlheim Metric Mile (1600m) at Awapuni on Saturday.

The seven-year-old gelding has been in a purple patch of form, including a second placing behind subsequent Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) runner-up Spring Tide over 1400m at Wanganui earlier this month.

While pleased with his form, Latta is keeping a close eye on the weather, hoping rain stays away ahead of the weekend.

“We wouldn’t like the track too heavy,” she said. “His form over a mile isn’t overly great but he does save his best for Awapuni.

“He is racing in career best form so we are coming in at the right time.”