Handy middle-grade pacer Igottastar returned from more than 16 months away from the racetrack with a win at the Oamaru trials yesterday.
The four-win mare was forced out of racing in March last year with a tendon injury to her off hind leg, her Waimate owner-trainer, Trevor Cleave, said.
The injury was treated by Dunedin veterinarian Peter Gillespie and the pacer's win yesterday suggested the horse was feeling no ill effects from it, Cleave said.
Igottastar sat last in her four-horse heat before unleashing a big late finish to win.
The race's official last 800m was timed in a respectable 56.7sec, but Igottastar would have gone faster as she came from well behind the leaders at the 800m mark, he said.
Before her injury, the Gotta Go Cullect mare won four times and placed on seven occasions from 20 starts.
Igottastar was likely to resume at the first Forbury Park meeting of the new season on September 3, before being aimed at grass track meetings in Canterbury, Cleave said.
The Waimate pacer's layoff shaded that of yesterday's fast-class pace winner, New Year's Jay, who was almost 13 months away.
The newcomer to the Graeme Anderson stable powered down the outside to win in her first appearance on a track since July last year.
The 10yr-old is one of seven acceptors for the Kurow Cup at Oamaru on Sunday.
Yesterday's fast-class trot was won by Pyramid Magic for trainer Phil Williamson and driver Charlotte Purvis.
Oamaru trial results.-
Weather, fine; track, fast.
Race 1, Non-winners' trot, 2600m: Our Gracie B Williamson 1, Rydgemont Son 2, Castleton Tui 3. Trainer: P Williamson. Time: 3.29.8, last 800m 64.2sec. Margins: dist, 2L. Three started.
Race 2, non-winners' pace, 2000m: Sefton Hooligan M Williamson, 1. Arizona Highway 2, Green Machine 3. Trainer: A Hoffman. Time: 2.46.2, 800m 58.6sec. Margins: 1L, 10L. Three started.
Race 3, mobile pace, 2000m: Igottastar M Williamson 1, Elusive Flight 2, Millwood Daisy 3. Trainer: T Cleave. Time: 2.32.6, 800m 56.7sec. Margins: 1L, 2L. Four started.
Race 4, handicap trot, 2600m: Pyramid Magic 30m C Purvis 1, Stylish Duke 2, Dream Big 3. Trainer: P Williamson. Time: 3.29.9, 800m: 61.3sec. Margins: nk, 2L. Four started.
Race 5. handicap pace, 2600m: New Years Jay 40m G Anderson 1, Playboy Prince 2, Mickey Jay 3. Trainer: G Anderson. Time: 3.26, 800m: 58.7sec. Margins: 1/2 head, 5L. Five started.
New Zealand drivers remain winless after day three of the World Drivers Championship in Canada.
Neither Dexter Dunn nor Mark Purdon managed to finish with a top-three placing in five heats contested at Georgian Downs racetrack in Ontario.
Dunn slid from fourth to fifth in the championship standings, while Purdon also slipped, from eigth placing to 10th.
Canadian driver James MacDonald won two of yesterday's heats to take the series lead off previous leader Mika Forss, of Finland.
The fourth day of the five-day championship will continue at Hippodrome 3R racetrack in Quebec today.
