Graham Richardson believes the best is still to come for progressive mare Sorghaghtani after her rise through the grades continued with a victory in the C.W. Cole Racing – Cody Cole (1750m) at Taupo on Wednesday.

The daughter of Mongolian Khan had more than a year off the scene after a trio of starts as a three-year-old and returned a furnished galloper finishing runner-up to talented filly Grande Gallo, and ahead of her Group One-performing stablemate To Catch A Thief in a competitive MAAT race on New Year’s Day.

Sorghaghtani’s maiden success soon followed fresh-up in April, and punters remained undeterred after an unlucky seventh at Te Rapa, backing her into $3.50 favouritism for the Rating 65 contest at Taupo.

In the capable hands of Opie Bosson, the mare travelled one-off the fence in fourth throughout while Gin Gin controlled the tempo in front, that runner remaining close to the rail turning for home while Sorghaghtani descended down the centre of the track.

The pair fought out a tight finish with I Am Groot and Armino closing strongly, but Sorghaghtani looked comfortable at the post despite less than a length splitting the first four placegetters.

Richardson was delighted with the mare he co-owns, as well as stablemate Therapeutic who finished 1-1/4 lengths back in fifth.

“I really like this mare, in fact I like both of them and Therapeutic was a bit unlucky today,” he said.

“I was over the moon with that. She (Sorghaghtani) lacked a bit of luck last time, and I thought she’d be a pretty good chance today.

“Opie said she’ll get over more ground which I expect her to, getting out to 2000m. She’ll be a better horse in the spring as well. I’ll just see what meetings are coming up for her in the meantime.”

A $10,000 purchase by Richardson at the 2021 Karaka Yearling Sales, Sorghaghtani was bred by the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry (NZ) and was the third foal out of Northern Meteor mare Treasury.

She has earned $43,940 in stakes from eight starts.

Richardson and training partner Rogan Norvall also have a pair of runners engaged for the Pukekohe meeting on Saturday, including Paisley Park who contests the Jamieson Park 1500.

The Azamour nine-year-old is a former Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) and Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m) winner and has had two runs back this campaign including a last-start seventh behind C’est Moi at Te Rapa.

“His last run, even though he ran last, was a very good run. He just blew out,” Richardson said.

“He’s back down to a reasonable weight (55.5kg), so with a bit of rain around, it should be near spot-on for him on Saturday.”

Also representing the Matamata trainers is Lovearoadie, a consistent daughter of Savile Row who has not finished out of the first four in as many starts this preparation. She will line-up in the SkyCity 1400, with Vinnie Colgan booked to ride.

“She was very unlucky last time and her work this morning was very good, she was meant to gallop yesterday with Paisley Park, but it was too dangerous with the storms around,” Richardson said.

“She’s drawn better for a change on Saturday (7), so hopefully she can be just in behind them.”