Coffs Harbour trainer Brett Bellamy admits he was a little surprised by Supreme Prince's debut win at big odds earlier this month so expects the gelding to show further improvement when he steps out again at Lismore on Monday.
Bellamy has had a cracking start to the new racing season but hasn't helped the majority of punters after landing several long-priced winners in recent weeks.
He scored with $101 chance Secrets No More at Coffs Harbour on August 6, then bagged a long-priced treble at the same track on August 8 with Supreme Prince ($21), Warburton ($12) and Say It Ain't So ($51).
"I think the only punters who backed them were my wife and mother who back all of my runners," quipped Bellamy.
Supreme Prince ($6 on TAB) obviously takes on a tougher assignment in Monday's Lismore Paint Centre Class 1 Hcp (1110m) but Bellamy thinks the gelding shows some promise and can take the next step.
Supreme Prince, a five-year-old full-brother to another Bellamy galloper Supreme Diva, hit the line strongly when he won on debut over 1000m on a heavy 8 at Coffs Harbour on August 8.
"It did surprise me a little that he was able to win on debut. He'd just had one barrier trial at Lismore the week before (August 3) and I thought he was a bit underdone going into the race," said Bellamy.
"But he's always shown me has the talent and I'm sure the extra trip in Monday's race is going to suit him. His barrier draw at Lismore (gate eight) may be an issue, but there looks to be plenty of speed on which should suit.
"It does look a strong race on Monday though, with several good chances - it will certainly be a good test for him."
Supreme Prince (Supreme Class-Diamante Dive) was purchased online by owner Ross White because his full-sister Supreme Diva was showing some ability at the time.
"Supreme Prince didn't race until he was five, but I don't think that's because there was anything amiss with him when he was with his previous owner," said Bellamy.
"Supreme Diva won on debut for us last year with Raymond Spokes riding, and now the full-brother Supreme Prince also won on debut, again with Raymond riding him."
The Greg Kilner-trained Swanston ($2.25 favourite) looms as the one to beat in Supreme Prince's race. The three-year-old son of Smart Missile followed a debut win at Ballina on July 23 with an excellent second to the promising Coffs Harbour sprinter Pace Stick at Grafton on August 17.
Swanston didn't get much galloping room between the 300m and 200m of that race and did a good job to be beaten just over a length by Pace Stick.
"Swanston was good behind Pace Stick and Sally Taylor's Qadira Star ($3.20) won very well at Taree last start. They are both going to be very hard to beat," said Bellamy.
Bellamy's best other hope at Lismore on Monday is Warburton ($3) in the Benchmark 58 (1310m), the final race on the seven-race program.
Warburton won at Coffs Harbour over 1300m two runs back on August 8 before his last-start third to Delius and Maui Princess in a Class 3 over 1400m at Casino on August 15.
"The drop back to 1300m on Monday is the positive with him - he just doesn't quite get the 1400m," said Bellamy.
The Andrew Parramore-trained Canexcell ($3 fav) ran well behind Swanston on debut at Ballina on July 23 and that form makes him very hard to beat in Monday's Maiden Hcp (1110m).
View the final fields with full form & race replays for Lismore here