Karloo Bradley continued a promising start to his career at Dubbo Paceway on Sunday but trainer Barry Lew feels the best of the gelding won't be seen for some time yet.
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Mat Rue drove the lightly-raced Karloo Bradley to a relatively comfortable 2.1m win in the Club Dubbo Pace (2120m).
It continues what it a handy run of form for Lew, with Karloo Bradley part of a group of up-and-comers for the Dubbo trainer.
Dazzle Me has had two starts back from a spell and ran second at Bathurst last week while Karloo Bodacious will have a trial on Tuesday night.
Each could target feature in the coming months as COVID restrictions start to ease and prizemoney begins to return to normal levels.
"It's a nice team of horses and I'm just waiting for things to open up a bit more and we can start to target some bigger races in the bush," Lew said.
Some trips to Menangle are also likely in the near future, with Karloo Bradley one which has the potential to race in the city.
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The three-year-old made it two wins from six career starts on Sundat afternoon but it's clear to see there's still more to come.
Rue did well to get Karloo Bradley ($3.20 favourite) into the one-one earlier on after starting from gate eight and he stayed there for much of the trip.
He made his move down the back straight on the bell lap and the gelding responded in a big way, tracking Tulhurst Terror ($4.20) up before moving three wide and into the lead with ease.
Rue had to urge him on in the straight as he lost concentration slightly but he was never in any real danger as he won from Tulhurst Terror and Whiskiesonthebeach ($7) in a winning mile rate of 2:02:3.
"We might not see the best of him until after a good spell," Lew said.
"Just to get that bit more maturity because he's pretty immature at the moment.
"Matty Rue said he was running good and when he asked him to go down the back he flew but when he got in front he pulled up a bit.
"He's a bit green and lazy but I think he's going to make a nice little horse."
Karloo Bradley is set for a short turnaround with a race at Bathurst likely on Wednesday.
While a win is always the goal, Lew is more focused on development.
The way the gelding raced on Sunday, settling comfortably before sprinting home the best over the rest of the field is what Lew thinks is best and it's what he wants to see again.
"As long as he's sprinting home," Lew said.
Dazzle Me is also set to race again at Bathurst on Wednesday but faces a real step up in class.