The Kalgoorlie carnival is just around the corner and Perth trainer Mike Powell is hoping Defy Me can improve enough to be a prospect on the Goldfields.

Defy Me (3g Heritage – Rosie’s Bungalow by Serheed) has been very impressive in Kalgoorlie this month winning his last two starts by a combined margin of six lengths.

There’s still a long way to go before he can be considered for feature races during the annual round that starts with the $100,000 Coolgardie Cup (1600m) on August 28.

Nevertheless, Powell reckons Defy Me is going in the right direction.

“He was immature and raw-boned as a younger horse,” Powell recalled.  “I threw him in at the deep end earlier this year and, all things considered, he did well in good company at Ascot.”

Defy Me was no more than three lengths away in the T J Smith Stakes (1600m) and J C Roberts Quality (1800m) until a virus disrupted his autumn campaign.  “It was a week-by-week situation,” Powell explained.  “We went into the Melvista Stakes (2200m) on a wing and a prayer but he was ready for break by then.”

Powell took a different tack after Defy Me ran into Mossroy first-up at Northam on June 30.  They travelled the extra 500km to the Goldfields and it’s paid off with two wins in as many starts.

“The Northam bypass makes the trip to Kal a lot easier thesedays,” Powell said.  “Defy Me keeps progressing and, even if it takes another prep, I think he will develop into a decent stayer.”

Powell part-owns Defy Me with well-known vet Kim Rose and Yarradale Stud owner Ron Sayers.  The gelding is by Heritage who is better known as the sire of sprinters the calibre of LR Gimcrack Stakes winner Flying Affair.

Defy Me adds another dimension to his future as a stallion at Yarradale.  Heritage is the only son of Flying Spur standing in WA and his dam is a sister to Northerly.  

Heritage will stand for a $4,400 (inc gst) service fee in 2011.