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A high-priced Karaka purchase continues to provide his connections with confidence that he can match the best of his age group later in the year.

Simply Optimistic won his only trial last season and this term the three-year-old returned an encouraging debut at Te Rapa when a close fifth behind the multiple winner and stakes performer Felton Road.

“We think he’s a really good horse,” trainer Brendon Hawtin said. “We weren’t under any illusions and knew it wasn’t the ideal race for him against experienced horses, but he had to kick off somewhere.

“He went a pretty good race everything considered and he’ll improve.”

Simply Optimistic will benefit from the race day experience and he could put that to good use on Sunday, provided track conditions are acceptable.

He is an acceptor at Te Aroha where he will face a significant drop in class in the Subway Morrinsville 1000. Troy Harris has been declared for the ride.

A son of Encosta de Lago and a winning Zabeel mare, Simply Optimistic was a $230,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale purchase for Halbert Bloodstock’s Hong Kong-based Herbert Chong and Cambridge bloodstock agent Stuart Hale.

“I thought he was the best colt in the sale,” Hawtin said. “He’s got the pedigree to match his looks.

“We’d like to think he will end up at Riccarton for the 2000 Guineas, but what route we take remains to be seen.”