The team behind star stayer Puissance De Lune have unearthed another promising galloper in Melbourne.

Northern Cath looked a filly with a future during a four-length dismissal of her rivals in the Cable Beach Club Resort Maiden (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday.  The Desert King filly is trained by Darren Weir for Limerick Lane owner Gerry Ryan.

“She controlled race and gave a good kick when I asked for an effort,” jockey Jye Mc Neil said.  “It wasn’t our plan to be on the pace but she ran through the line and will get further than 1400 metres.”

Northern Cath (3f Desert King – Southern Bound by Fasliyev) had been placed at Warrnambool and Moonee Valley prior to landing her first win around the Lakeside circuit.  She was bred by the late David Medbury and is a half-sister to Cash Bound (Dash For Cash) who won four races for Ryan and Weir.  He was also Group 3 placed in the 2011 SA Sires’ Produce Stakes.

Lauriston Park studmaster Chris Bakker stands Desert King at his Creighton’s Creek property south-west of Euroa.

Northern Cath’s breakthrough came shortly after Ryan and Weir confirmed Puissance De Lune will be given every chance to resume racing in time for a spring campaign.

Puissance De Lune (Shamardal) hasn’t been seen since injuring a tendon in the Cox Plate last October.  “Gerry is keen to race him again,” Weir said.  “We’re scanning the leg regularly to monitor his progress.  He will stay at Limerick Lane and then come back into work and have a long rehab program aimed towards the spring.”

Ryan part-owned 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain and Puissance De Lune was a clear-cut favourite for the 2013 Melbourne Cup before injury intervened.