She has won only two small races over 350m and 440m at Goulburn but a slashing trial at Wentworth Park last Thursday night has earned tiny bitch Taormina a crack at the January 11 heats of the group one Ladbrokes National Futurity.
Tipping the scales at 24.7kg, Taormina led all the way to easily win a three dog 520m trial in the fast time of 29.78, after posting quick early sections of 5.42 and 13.81.
Left in her wake in the trial were her litter brother Instant Offer and the Chris O'Brien trained Questionable, who had clocked a brilliant 29.52 winning a maiden race over 520m at Nowra early this month.
When I asked Andy Lord, whose wife Jodie trains Taormina, if they were contemplating a start in the Futurity, he replied: "Damned right we are, she will be in it.
"Taormina has heaps of early speed and while she got off the track a little on Thursday night she normally rails well and that was the first time she has ever been over 520m.
"This bitch has always displayed terrific early zip so when they possess that trait they deserve a tilt at a big race.''
Also targetting the National Futurity are the Anthony Azzopardi-prepared Victorian bitches Gambella and Marrakesh, who each trialled impressively at Wentworth Park last week.
Gambella stumbled at the start but after recording average early splits of 5.57 and 13.97, ran home in the outstanding time of 11.64 while covering the 520m in 29.70.
Marrakesh also trialled solo, running home in 11.75 for an overall time of 29.86 for the 520m.
"Gambella has always been quicker than Marrakesh but they will both be heading to Sydney for the Futurity heats on January 11,'' Azzopardi said.
Intense Power scored her fourth successive win when she led all the way on debut at Wentworth Park on Thursday night, taking her record to eight wins from 15 starts, but owner-trainer Rod Dennis insists her career on the track is simply a prelude to her eventual time in the breeding barn.
"When I bought Intense Power as a tiny puppy for just under $4000, I didn't care if she never won a race,'' Dennis declared.
"She is by Hard Style Ricco from Chill Easy, who is a half sister to the Million Dollar Chase winner Mystic Riot and is closely related the 2023 race record breaking Young Star winner Rocket Riot.
"This is among the best dam lines in Australia so I was over the moon when I was able to buy Intense Power.
"Because she had nine months on the sidelines she turns three on January 25 but while I was rapt in her all the way 30.17 win at Wentworth Park on Thursday, when she was having her first run over 520m, it is what happens with her when she is retired to stud that really excites me.''
