IT was a bold statement to make about two of the sport’s emerging talents. But for those who have seen Chris Holder and Darcy Ward regularly terrorise Elite League opponents up and down the land, the words of Matt Ford probably came as little surprise.

The duo from Down Under have been simply exceptional in 2011. In a string of stunning performances in Pirates colours, they have established themselves as genuine stars on English tracks.

So much so that Ford, who knows the exciting pair better than most, left Pirates punters in no doubt as to his thoughts on the Australian sensations.

In his programme notes, the Wimborne Road promoter wrote: “Make no mistake – these two Aussie kids Chris Holder and Darcy Ward are the future. They will be icons of world speedway.

“At their current rate – and please believe this – they will shape speedway’s World Championship series over the next 10 years.”

High praise indeed. And last night, they gave another glimpse of the rich potential Ford was talking about.

Given the huge first-leg advantage that Poole carried into this Knockout Cup quarter-final second leg and the depleted nature of Robins’ line-up, this meeting was probably not the most accurate gauge of Holder and Ward’s talents.

But they can only be judged on how they dealt with the task at hand and Pirates’ double act were in supreme form.

For Holder, the ultimate chance to live up to the big billing will come this weekend when he defends his British Grand Prix crown. But he displayed he is in the best possible nick with a maximum.

Ward, meanwhile, gave the fans who took advantage of reduced ticket prices full value for their money with an explosive paid maximum.

Trailing 62-28 from the first-leg encounter, there was little more than pride at stake for Swindon.

Bruised from last week’s mauling, Robins seemed intent on producing a better effort this time round and they did, although the result was never in doubt.

Holder and Renat Gafurov began proceedings with victories.

Davey Watt and Jason Doyle were all set for a maximum next up, only for the latter to fall victim of a mechanical issue under pressure from Nikolai Klindt.

Ward, who also bagged a paid maximum in the first leg, made things look ridiculously easy in heat four.

Forced wide in the opening corner, there was no need to check who was wearing the red helmet colour as the world under-21 champion pulled off his trademark move round the outside to steam clear and claim Pirates’ fourth successive race victory.

Watt stormed home for his second win of the night, with British champion Scott Nicholls, who received a warm welcome at Wimborne Road, edging Doyle for second spot.

Holder sealed another straightforward success before Ward did the same, although it was an intriguing battle between Kyle Newman and Klindt that took centre stage. The Poole fans loudly recognised the efforts of their hometown favourite in almost fending off his more established Robins rival.

Pirates, with such a huge advantage, were using the evening to give valuable track time to rookies Kyle Howarth and Newman.

But there was no question they meant business.

They made it eight straight heat wins when Doyle and Gafurov combined for the first 5-1 of the evening.

Bidding to stop the rot, Robins skipper Simon Stead held his nerve as tactical rider to give the scoreline a more respectable look.

Holder again starred in heat 10 before Ward repeated the feat after battling past Nicholls on the opening bend.

The impressive Watt won again before Holder and Ward turned on the style.

Holder led from the outset in race 13 and once his young compatriot had spectacularly sliced through the narrowest of gaps to join him at the front, it was all over.

An outstanding ride from Klindt ensured he made the most of the double points on offer as tactical rider in the penultimate outing of the night.

But fittingly in a tie they had dominated from the outset, Pirates had the final say.

Unsurprisingly, heat 15 was all about the two men hailed by Ford.

This time, it was Ward who led the way, only to slow up and let his mate pass him on the line to ensure a Holder maximum.

Only time will tell how accurate Ford’s predictions on the richly gifted pair turn out to be.

But on this evidence, they will take some stopping in the years to come.