John Salanitri believes that he has unearthed a potential 2017 Victoria Derby horse in Sheer Madness, who held on to post an impressive win in the VRC Member Raymond Ali BM70 (1400m) at Flemington over the weekend.

Sheer Madness was sent off an $8.50 shot in the talent-rich race for three-year-olds after drifting from opening odds of $5.50, but was suited by the tempo of the race and mustered an impressive turn of foot in the final straight to beat race favourite Confluence by close to a length.

Having been caught three-wide in the early stages of the race, Salanitri was thrilled with the horse’s ability to overcome he tough run in transit and believes that he has the making of a quality distance horse this season.

“He did a good job to win that after racing three-deep without cover for a bit,” Salanitri told Racenet.

“It wasn’t Ethan’s fault, it was just the way the race panned out.

“It was actually the best place to be as he’s a horse that needs to keep rolling and have room to build momentum.

“He’s always shown us ability but the penny hasn’t dropped yet.

“He’s an exciting horse, we’ll probably have a go at the Caulfield Guineas but ideally I think he’s a Derby horse.

“We’ll give him a little time off and then look at coming back for the Guineas Prelude.”

Sheer Madness has only made eight appearances at the races since debut on Australia Day earlier this year, but has stamped himself as a colt to follow via several credible results.

Fifth in the Listed Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) at his first point of call, the Moshe gelding failed to match the class when ninth in the Group 3 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) and twelfth in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), but responded with a smart win in the Middys Dara & Electrical Maiden (1400m) on March 16^th.

Sent to the paddock after running sixth in the Mornington Sires’ (1500m), Sheer Madness resumed this time for eighth in the John & Denise Cobcroft Handicap (1200m) on July 15^th; placing fifth in the Gold Ingot (1400m) in his only other start prior to the Saturday’s triumph.

Sheer Madness is currently considered a $34 chance in early 2017 Victoria Derby betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au.