Classy squaregaiter Oscar Bonavena made his homecoming a one-act affair when effortlessly winning yesterday's feature trot at Oamaru.
Driver Mark Purdon, who trains the horse with Natalie Rasmussen, did not even have to ask the former Oamaru trotter for an effort when he cruised to the line to win by half a length.
Purdon set up a moderate speed in front with the 4yr-old, who was prepared by Phil Williamson as a 2yr-old, before he reeled off sensational closing sectionals of 56sec (800m) and 27.7sec (400m) to win.
Yesterday's race provided Oscar Bonavena with the opportunity to take another step forward after his injury-plagued 3yr-old season.
Purdon said the rare knee problem that held him back last term was not causing the trotter any issues so far this term.
Those harshly scrutinising Oscar Bonavena's performance could have some concerns over his standing start manners, and would take marks off for his standing start effort again yesterday.
The trotter bounded away for several strides before quickly getting into a trot and running to the lead.
Purdon said he does not have any major concerns about the horse's starting manners ahead of his big race assignments in the spring.
''He is just one of those horses that is always going to be a little bit fractious at the start.
''He bounded away and got into a trot pretty quickly.
''It is not like he is galloping away and losing ground.
''I don't think it will be a problem for him going forward.''
Winterfell ran on well into second behind his stablemate in his first race of the spring.
Valloria took third in the first start of his campaign.
Purdon and Rasmussen were at their usual dominant best when producing four winners yesterday.
Italian Lad and Taxman joined Oscar Bonavena and Spankem in the winner's circle.
Italian Lad took 0.4sec off the all-comers 2000m mobile track record when winning his debut.
The 3yr-old powered off a fast speed set up by the tearaway leader, Laver, after looking hopelessly placed before the home turn.
Italian Lad's 2:24.2 time eclipsed the previous record set by Convair Hustler, last year.
Italian Lad also took 1.3 sec off The Flying Doctor's longstanding 3yr-old track record, set in 2004.
Taxman notched his victory in completely contrasting circumstances.
Reinswoman Olivia Thornley had the pacer in front throughout his win in junior drivers company.
