Inland Carpet (Vic form) keepers

[pythons-rock!]

Earlier this year I purchased an Inland/ Murray Darling carpet python (M.s. metcalfei) of a 'black and silver' Victorian bloodline. The specimen is growing well and has bold markings, but it seems that it is developing a tan/ maroon/ reddish colouration on its flanks and lower dorsal surface, and is turning out to look just like my SA form specimens (which tend to have colourful flanks). I'm aware that the Murray River form is largely universal in its morphological characteristics, however, know that some populations in the eastern part of the river system (in Victoria) lack this tan/ maroon/ red colouration altogether, hence the 'black and silver' name for this form.
Have other keepers found that Vic form carpets have a lot of/ some/ none of this flank colouration? Some text books seem to make a distinction based on this characteristic, as do some of the major snake breeders. Your insight/ experience/ thoughts are sought!