The Badlands Hanover gelding highlighted his exciting potential when he furthered his record to three wins and a fourth from just four starts with his triumph in the French Bakery Pace (2150 metres, stand) at Motukarara on Sunday 26 March.

Larado, who won his debut at Orari in November, is owned by Balclutha (South Otago) farmer Peter Ponsoby who bought his grand dam Red Valley (in foal to Tricky Dick) from Auckland bloodstock agent John Curtin.

The foal the mare was carrying turned out to be Tricky Valley, the dam of Larado, who does not like the flying grit off all weather tracks and favours grass racing surfaces.

"That's why he is here today...He prefers grass and doesn't like flying grit off the all weather tracks,'' Curtin said.

"It is always hard to predict how far some horses will go but I think this fellow is capable of winning a few more _ I will probaby take him to Methven on Sunday for another race on the grass.''

Curtin and owner Ponsonby have tried several horses in recent years, including Rap, who ran seventh in the New Zeealand Derby before being sold to Australia.

"It looked like Larado might be sold after his first win but he was a little scratchy in his action after and no sale eventuated,'' Curtin said of Larado whom he rates as a "tough horse who keeps going and going.''

Curtin and others said Larado should have won instead of running fourth at his last start on the Motukarara grass when he missed away at the start and flew home late.

Jim Curtin recalled Tricky Valley won at least four races. Her grand dam Totara Valley was a distinguished producer who left Australian star Village Kid (1:55.1), a sensational son of Gramatan on the Australian Grand Circuit.