Driver Frank Cooney has some horrific news for the drivers of New Zealand's best pacing fillies - One Dream is just warming up.
The champion filly blew her rivals away in the $130,000 Sires' Stakes Fillies Championships at Alexandra Park yesterday, leading throughout to justify her $1.20 favouritism.
While punters who took those short odds never had reason for concern, rival drivers will have for the rest of the season judging by Cooney's post-race comments.
"I actually don't think she is as good as she can be," said Cooney.
"I have felt her better than that and I still think she is working and racing her way back into her best form.
"I am sure she will be a better horse in a few more races."
That is scary when you consider One Dream is already, on yesterday's evidence, lengths better than any other filly in the country.
Only Top Tempo, who chased her home in the Australasian Breeders Crown at Ballarat in August, looms as a feature race danger.
"The thing about this filly is she gives you so many options," said Cooney.
"She has gate speed, she is tough, her manners are getting better all the time and she is happy to sit parked.
"I have been lucky enough to drive some good fillies but she is the best of them."
One Dream's connections have already declared they will not join the colts in the $200,000 Great Northern Derby in March but when prompted Cooney admits he thinks she would be competitive with the boys.
"I am not saying she would beat Changeover or Fergiemack because they are very good horses.
"But I think she would not be disgraced against them."
One Dream will instead stick to crushing the fillies, with her main aims being the Great Northern and New Zealand Oaks, Nevele R Fillies Final, Harness Jewels Final and a return to Australia for the Breeders Crown.
Owner Jill Smolenski is even contemplating retiring One Dream after this season, as many leading US pacers are once they finish their classic racing.
While the public would be sad to see her go with her muscular frame and amazing record One Dream would already be worth a fortune as a broodmare.
That fortune should be a lot bigger by the end of the season if this performance is anything to go by.
