Pentathlon stamped himself as one of the country’s best staying prospects with another strong performance at Riccarton this afternoon.

A maiden winner last month, he scored over 2500 metres on the middle day of the cup carnival and backed up for a repeat performance in a higher grade.

“He’s a really tough staying horse and he’s got a big future,” New Plymouth trainer John Wheeler said.

Pentathlon is by the Melbourne Cup-winning sire Pentire, a fact that hasn’t escaped the Taranaki horseman.

“Wouldn’t it be great if Pentire could win it two years in a row – I’ve already thought of that,” he said.

Pentathlon is bred to star over ground as he is a three-quarter brother to Wheeler’s former champion stayer Pentathon.

He won 10 races, including the New Zealand Cup and the PJ O’Shea Stakes at Group Three level.

Wheeler bought Pentathlon out of Goodwood Stud’s 2013 Select Sale draft at Karaka for $85,000.