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By Ray Hickson

There’s no better time to throw a lightly raced horse into a deeper pool than when they’re chasing a hat-trick and that’s trainer Rod Northam’s thinking in sending Release Point to Canterbury on Wednesday.

The five-year-old had won one of his first 10 starts but is unbeaten in two attempts this preparation, with wins at Tamworth and Scone, and that’s landed him in the Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1900m).

Northam said he’s keen to get Release Point out beyond the mile of his last start win.

Trainer Rod Northam

“I thought he was worth a shot while he’s going well,’’ he said.

“We’re more or less looking for the extra distance and that was the only race I could find.

“I threw him in not knowing what was about, but I thought he probably measures up okay.”

Release Point, $16 with TAB on Tuesday, swept home from midfield to win first-up at 1400m before sitting on the speed on his home track two weeks ago and prevailing in a sprint home.

The in-form Scone trainer said the gelding has been a work in progress, a big lump that’s taken time to mature, and the results are now starting to happen.

“He’s grown into himself a little bit. He’s always been big and awkward, now he’s filled out and into his frame a bit,’’ he said.

“He’s a big horse, he’s got quite a big head. He’s a powerful sort of horse, he winds up.

“That race the other day was a sit and sprint home so it probably didn’t look like he has much of a dash.

“He’s come from back in the field in shorter races, first-up he flew home. If there’s speed on then he can show a turn of foot.”

Northam is looking forward to sending Cool Storm into Saturday’s TAB Highway (1000m) at Randwick after the mare scored first-up for his stable a month ago.

Formerly with Brett Dodson, the mare contested two Highway races around this time last year and was placed in both of them.

“They were both strong Highways and over 1200m as well, the 1000m is probably a bit more up her alley,’’ he said.

“I was very impressed with what she did to lead all the way down the straight at Scone. She’s come through it well and I’d expect her to be quite competitive.”

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