Gazing at a foal from over the fence can pay off.
Just ask Mark Ireland, whose keen eye translated into a maiden win for Southern Power at Waikouaiti on Wednesday.
Ireland's neighbour at Fernside near Rangiora was none other than equestrian great Mark Todd, who had the newly-born son of Edenwold and his dam, Midnight Gem, at their property.
''I always used to say to my wife [Teresa] `what a lovely-looking foal','' Ireland said.
When Todd and his wife, Carolyn, separated and put their property on the market in late 2010, Todd offered Midnight Gem and the foal to the Irelands.
''They said we'd look after it well, so we came to an agreement on the price.''
Ireland called his good friends, Denis and Raewyn Hartridge, and convinced them to take a half-share.
The world of thoroughbreds is a slight change for Ireland, who enjoyed plenty of success breeding and owning pacers such as Montrose, who finished runner-up in the group 1 Breeders Stakes in 1985 and 1986.
Montrose produced seven winning foals, with 2003 Ashburton Cup winner Blairgowrie the last foal and the most successful in New Zealand.
Although he has a small share in well-performed jumper Lagerfeld, Ireland said Southern Power felt like his debut in thoroughbreds having put some extra work into the horse.
''All my mates were in thoroughbreds, so this is my first thoroughbred,'' Ireland said.
There was an obvious choice to train the gelding once the Irelands broke in Southern Power.
''I've always known John Parsons since he raced pacers,'' Ireland said.
''I called up John one day. He said `I'm fairly full, and I'm going blind. Oh, OK I'll take it'.
''So we got it broken in, he educated it and he always liked it.''
