The observation arose through an item allied with the unbeaten juvenile Kapsdan (Kaapstad-Danaselvam, by Danehill), who had won three two-year-old scurries up to 800m this term.

Kapsdan’s brilliance may have surprised many as she is by Kaapstad (Sir Tristram-Eight Carat, by Pieces Of Eight), whose forte is to generally produce middle distance gallopers.

On the other hand Kapsdan’s dam, the Australian mare Danaselvam, boasts bloodlines allied with speed and class and has quickened Kapsdan’s racing potential.

No sooner had Kapsdan come under careful scrutiny with her staying orientated sire and speedy dam, than Torlesse took the limelight with success in the 2500m Gold Club Metropolitan Trophy at Riccarton.

From the Amanda Brown stable at Loburn, Torlesse can’t be judged on only one parent without meeting aptitude irregularities. He is by the speed orientated Volksraad, who leaves stock particularly potent up to 1600m, and has a rather stout dam, the stakeswinning Seamist (Beaufort Sea-Quidella, by All A’Light).

Torlesse, with 10 wins from 27 appearances, has annexed the Christchurch Spring Classic and the Metropolitan Handicap Judge Torlesse on one parent (in this case Volksraad) and you will run into real bother.

Seamist was a smart performer for the Wigley family and the Parsons stable from Canterbury, taking the Auckland Stakes, Awapuni Gold Cup, the Highview Stakes and the Japan-New Zealand International Trophy.

Her dam Quidella when mated with All A’Light, produced a very talented jumper Quenby Hall, who was among the nation’s top females over fences during the 1960’s. She was prepared by Ivan Robinson known as the “Matangi Rover“ for his regular excursions around the country with his jumpers.

Quenby Hall was a rugged type, who seemed to line up virtually every Saturday.

She won three consecutive hurdle races at one stage, a Northland double and took the Clarkin and Waikato steeplechases at Te Rapa.

Quenby Hall’s dam Peach Cobbler (by Sherry Cobbler) was a 1951 mare imported from Britain by the Fletchers.

In turn, her third dam was Belle Mere a sister to the all-conquering stallion Beau Pere. Both claimed Cinna as their dam. Peach Cobbler was subsequently shipped to Australia as a breeding preoposition.