Promising filly Flash Roca has nearly earned back her purchase price without saluting the judge, and Kelvin Tyler is hoping that can change at Wingatui on Sunday.

The daughter of El Roca was spotted at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales by Tyler and his sons, and at just $6,000 she was an inexpensive purchase for the Southland family. After underperforming on debut in September, Flash Roca has returned strongly in the new year, placing behind King Palm and more recently, last Sunday at Gore behind Pull The Pin.

“It was probably a little bit short to what she’s looking for, but she’s a nice three-year-old filly that is strengthening up all the time,” Tyler said.

“She was a nice enough horse, I race her with my two sons and they were at the sales with me, so she was a cheap one for us to have a go with. The half-brother sold in Book 1 this year for $100,000.

“Being just a three-year-old, she’s obviously got a bit of growing to do but I think she’s going to be a nice one in the next year or two.”

The filly will step up in distance in the Edinburgh Realty (1600m), with Canterbury apprentice Yogesh Atchamah taking two kilograms off her 56kg impost.

“Up to a mile on a big, roomy track, with a bit of weight off her back as well should help her,” Tyler said. “She should get her chance on Sunday.”

Later in the day, older stablemates King Of The Castle and Go Lotte will go head-to-head in the RMG Publicans Beaumont Cup (1500m).

Returning from a successful career racing in Australia, King Of The Castle rejoined Tyler’s stable and his trainer had high expectations leading into the Listed Hazlett Stakes (1400m) where the gelding finished eighth.

“To be honest, I was disappointed that day,” Tyler said. “His work coming into the race was very good, we thought he would be hard to beat, and he didn’t quicken up at all.

“We were scratching our heads a bit after that, whether he’s looking for more ground or a softer track. Then, leading into the White Robe (Gr.3, 1600m), he slipped in a track gallop and rattled the old bones a wee bit. I had to back off him after that, but he seems good now.

“His gallop on Tuesday morning was as good as I’ve seen from him this time. I’m still a bit nervously cautious, having been disappointed first-up, but on his work, he should take all sorts really.

“It’s a big step back in grade to what he’s competed against, this will be a good guide to where we go from here with him.”

Go Lotte was running on strongly last-start over 1200m, and with a featherlight weight under Abdul Najib, she comes right into contention in the feature.

“She’s been screaming out for 1400m or a mile for a long time, but there just hasn’t been the right race for her,” Tyler said. “Her rating makes her stuck in the Open 1200s really, so it’ll be good.

“She’s very genuine and loves what she’s doing, I can’t fault her really. She’s going to come in well at the weights and she’ll go a good race.”