Canterbury filly Nek Time capped brilliant recent Southland form with a win in the province's biggest race for 3yr-old fillies.
The Gotta Go Cullect pacer dominated her age-group to claim the group 2 Southland Oaks at Ascot Park yesterday.
In winning, Nek Time added not only the Oaks trophies, but also an Invercargill track record to her previous two autumn wins in the South.
The Terry & Glenys Chmiel-trained filly scorched the 2700m mobile in 3.19.4, lowering Kabet's 3yr-old fillies' record of 3.23.1 set in 2013.
Despite a hotly-contested first 700m and the record-breaking time, Nek Time and driver Dexter Dunn reeled off a 56sec last 800m to win easily.
"She jogged it. The distance really suits her as long as she doesn't get too fired up, which was good today because she relaxed really well.''
Dunn reserved his judgement in comparing Nek Time with the country's best 3yr-old's fillies, but believes she will not look out of place in upcoming features.
"It's hard to say because she still has to race them. With the performances she is putting in, she definitely deserves a crack at them to find out.''
The group 2 win is also the most prestigious to date for the Chmiels, the husband-and-wife training partnership based at Leeston in Canterbury, after the same filly provided them with a listed win at Addington in February.
Inexperience did not stop Heaven Rocks from holding out his rivals in the Southern Supremacy Stakes final for 3yr-old colts and geldings.
The Rock N Roll Heaven pacer had won his first two starts before breaking badly at his previous start for trainers Mark Purdon and Natalie Rassmussen.
Heaven Rocks is part-owned by Phil and Margaret Creighton, of East Taieri.
The Creightons share in the ownership with Phil and Glenys Kennard, Gavin Douglas and Kevin Riseley.
Classy 4yr-old Costa del Magnifico capped his transformation from talented cl pacer to genuine fast-class performer with his win in the Southern Country Cups final.
The Brent Shirley-trained entire cruised away from his rivals to add to his impressive 4yr-old season CV.
That CV, which includes six wins and more than $74,000, will not be furthered this season with plans already in place for a tilt at the 2016 New Zealand Cup, Shirley said.
"He's out in the paddock now and we will have bring him up and see how we go.''
Running fourth in his first attempt at open-class racing in the Easter Cup gives Shirley the confidence to take on the rigours of open-class racing and, ultimately, the New Zealand Cup.
"He didn't have it all his own way and I was proud of him in that race. With natural progression, he should be competitive.''
- Jonny Turner
