Brisbane colt State Of Wealth took the first step towards the G1 Caulfield Guineas in October with a convincing  victory at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.

State Of Wealth (3c Ad Valorem – Girona by Giant’s Causeway) showed he was well above average while cruising home by four lengths in the Noel Wilson Memorial (1200m).

Trainer Brian Smith, who found fame with Kiwi champion Balmerino in the 1970s, believes his colt has a bright future.  “He has a lot of potential,” Smith said.  “But I want to see him do that again in stronger Saturday company before looking too far ahead.”

State Of Wealth is part-owned by Graham Pollock who pre-trains for some of Queensland’s top stables.  “I immediately took a liking to him at the Magic Millions,” Pollock said.  “I only had a small bank to play with and couldn’t believe it when I got him for $50,000.

“I was shaking all over and went straight to the bar.”

State Of Wealth is the first foal for Sydney winner Girona who is a half-sister to the stakes performers Formal Attire (Danehill) and Rough Chance (Rock of Gibraltar).  Second dam Ruffles (Zeditave) was a G1 winner of the G1 VRC Newmarket Hcp.

It was the second leg of a winning double for Darley shuttler Ad Valorem.  His Chris Waller trained gelding Rolston had won at Rosehill an hour earlier.

Ad Valorem finished his first season with 8 individual winners to top the first-season table along with Nadeem, All Bar One and Red Dazzler.

Ad Valorem (Danzig) has kept up the momentum in the first month of the new season.  His Australian tally now numbers 11 individual winners to lead Red Dazzler (10), Nadeem (8) and All Bar One (8).