Phil's Gift resumed after a short break with a win at the Oamaru harness racing trials yesterday.
The 5yr-old Sundon gelding was off the back mark of 40m in the trial for 1-6 win trotters but overcame that handicap and stablemate Not Likely by a neck in a time of 3.29.3.
Phil's Gift last race-day appearance was a fifth behind progressive trotter Master Lavros at Alexandra Park in December.
His trainer, Murray Tapper, of Levels near Timaru, said the pair were entered in the feature trot at Ascot Park on Sunday and their performance there will determine how and if they progress along to the 4 and 5yr-old trotting championship at Addington in late March, although Phil's Gift is the more likely of the two to continue down that path.
''He's a length or two better than Not Likely, so it's up to him to see how he goes over the next two or three starts.''
High Courage qualified well for Dunedin trainer Kevin Court in a 2400m qualifying pace. The 2yr-old Courage Under Fire colt paced the 2400m in 3.07.5, 8.5sec under the required qualifying time. High Courage is the third foal of Falcon Seelster mare Who's That Bird to qualify for the races. Her first foal, Who's Escaped, won three races in New Zealand before being sold to Australia, where she has recorded a best mile time of 1.52.7. Who's That Bird's second foal, Slick Bird, has won six races in Western Australia.
Highview Anwell finished three lengths behind High Courage, also comfortably under the qualifying time.
Falcon Ruler won his trial comfortably after rejoining the Waikouaiti stable of Andrew Faulks. The 3yr-old Falcon Seelster-Ferry Glide colt won his 2000m mobile heat by 10 lengths over Supreme Genes. Falcon Ruler started his career with Faulks, who bred the horse along with other Waikouaiti racing identities, before moving to the Burnham stable of Mark Jones.
Oamaru trial results
Weather, fine; track, fast.
Qualifying pace, 2400m: High Courage M Williamson 1; Highview Anwell 2; Gerald 3. Four started. 3L, dist, dist. Time: 3.07.5. Trainer: K Court. Two qualified.
Qualifying trot, 2500m: Bono Hest A Faulks 1; Lady Hest 2. Two started. Dist. Time: 3.31.5. Trainer: A Faulks. None qualified.
Mobile pace, 2000m: Baby Fern D Heffernan 1; Highland Reign 2; Justanother Fitch 3. Four started. 1/2L, 2L. Time: 2.38.9. Trainer: D Heffernan.
0w pace, 2000m: Falcon Ruler A Faulks 1; Supreme Genes 2; Jagged Wings 3. Five started. 10L, 1L, 1 1/2L. Time: 2.34.9. Trainer: A Faulks.
0w trot, 2600m: Shell Harbour M Tapper 1; Maple Twist 2. Two started. 2L. Time: 3.48.6. Trainer: M Prendergast.
1-2w spec hcp pace, 2600m: Share The Joy M Williamson 1; Eddie Boy 2; Xmas In New York 3. Three started. Nk, 6L. Time: 3.31.5. Trainer: G Telfer.
1-6w spec hcp trot, 2600m: Phil's Gift M Tapper 1; Not Likely 2; Pyramid Monarch 3. Four started. nk, 1L, pulled up. Time: 3.29.3. Trainer: M Tapper.
