Connections of Census believe the best is yet to come from the colt, who they feel underperformed in the Ladbrokes St Leger.
Census failed to end his season on a high note when only fifth to Masked Marvel in the world's oldest Classic at Doncaster on Saturday, yet Richard Hannon's charge had run that horse to a head when they met in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket in July.
A plan of campaign for 2012 is already being mapped out for the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned colt that could culminate in a crack at the Melbourne Cup.
"Census is better than his finishing position of fifth suggests. There had only been a head between him and Masked Marvel in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket in July, so we know he can do better," the Marlborough trainer told www.richardhannonracing.tv.
"Richard Hughes had to give him a few slaps early on in the race, and Census was clearly not happy on the fast ground. He would not let himself down, and, though he did find his rhythm and cam there looking promising in the straight, he got a bump from Brown Panther and that was that.
"You have to remember that Census only started to blossom after Ascot. Hughesie had said when he won earlier at Newbury that he was maybe too immature for the Royal meeting, and, though he ran well there and again at Newmarket, he only really began to come to himself when he won the Geoffrey Freer Stakes back at Newbury.
"Census went weak on us as a two-year-old and went back to Highclere to strengthen up, and we have always thought of him as a long-term prospect. We will probably put him away now, and next year when he has filled his frame he could be something special.
"We won a Yorkshire Cup and a Doncaster Cup with Assessor in the early 90s, but Census would have more speed.
"He could well be one for the Ascot Gold Cup, but I know Harry Herbert (Highclere racing manager) is keen to keep the Melbourne Cup in mind and Flemington is a left-handed course, which seems to suit him well, so there are still plenty of positives there."
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