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By Ray Hickson

It’s so far been smooth sailing for unbeaten mare Norwegian Bliss in her two career starts so trainer Nathan Doyle says he’s ready to find out if she can swim in deeper waters at Canterbury on Wednesday.

Trainer Nathan Doyle (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The four-year-old has started long odds-on in her victories at Port Macquarie and Newcastle and there’s an air confidence from Doyle that the Precise Air Handicap (1250m) is merely a “stepping stone” for her.

“She can only do what she’s done to date,’’ Doyle said.

“She keeps improving every time we step her out at home so we haven’t got anywhere near the bottom of her.

“I think she is more than up to it, what she shows us on the training track is she well and truly has city class ability.”

Norwegian Bliss, $1.80 with TAB on Tuesday, trialled over a year ago under Daniel Robinson’s name and was moved to Ciaron Maher & David Eustace prior to arriving at Doyle’s Newcastle stable.

She did come with a little baggage, hence not making her debut until a month ago but Doyle said it’s likely that the mare just needed a bit of time.

“She had a couple of niggling injuries early on and Luke McDonald, Gerry Harvey’s racing manager, sent her up and gave us a crack with her,’’ he said.

“To date she’s been faultless with us, so touch wood she can sustain a good preparation.

“At the moment she is a tough horse, she goes home and eats up and thrives in her work so there’s no reason to pull up stumps.”

Andrew Adkins rides Norwegian Bliss at Canterbury, he was on board the mare in her trial prior to her debut win so is no stranger to her ability.

After leading all the way in her win over 1300m at Newcastle on October 12, Doyle expects Adkins to take up at least a forward position again.

“We wanted to ride her that way, a bit like the best horse in the race, and she was quite dominant,’’ he said.

“We’ll see what happens but I’d say we’ll be positive. She has a high cruising speed and can maintain it, that’s going to be beneficial for her around Canterbury.

“With 55.5kg and a small field, I think everything should suit her.”

Meanwhile, Doyle said the barrier draw for Saturday’s $700,000 Four Pillars (1500m) is going to be crucial but says he couldn’t be happier with his runner Dalaalaat.

Norwegian Bliss wins at Newcastle on October 12

Part-owned by race caller Darren Flindell, Dalaalaat won a Midway first-up on September 11 and hasn’t raced since his half length fourth over 1300m at Rosehill two weeks later.

Lee Magorrian is set to ride on Saturday, as he did in the gelding’s recent barrier trial win.

“I think he is a horse better on the fresh side so a gap between runs and a tick over trial is ideal,’’ Doyle said.

“We were picked up pretty early so we could target this race. We just want to draw a nice gate.

"The way it’s been selected there’s probably a few horses in the race you don’t want to be following so the gates will play a role in the outcome.”

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday's Canterbury meeting