The Bettor's Delight gelding is known for barely running a bad race and yesterday's $14,999 feature was no different, although there were nervous moments for trainer Des Baynes as the mid-race moves came.
''We were in a good position and then with a round to go, everything changed and we ended up second or third-last but it was still a good effort,'' Baynes said.
''Tim [Williams, the driver] made a really good job of it.''
Poacher's New Zealand record reads six wins from 43 starts, but Baynes thinks the best could be to come from Poacher when he gets to New South Wales.
''I'm sure he'll just get better over at Menangle,'' he said.
''The mile tracks will suit him. He can never pull out a 28-second quarter but he keeps on coming.''
Poacher's place as the stable favourite will be taken by smart 2yr-old Bettor Buy It, who qualified at the Ascot Park trials on December 19.
''If we didn't have a nice wee 2yr-old coming on, we probably wouldn't be selling this horse.''
Poacher is on a flight to Sydney on January 10 and will join David Thorn's team at Menangle.
Miss Pegasus will be racing again shortly after her win in the feature trot at Roxburgh yesterday. The 4yr-old is out of open-class performer Merinai, who claimed the 1997 Dominion Handicap and the 1998 Rowe Cup. Breeder Woodlands Stud has held on to the ownership for breeding purposes in the future.
Miss Pegasus will most likely line up at Oamaru on Tuesday and will head towards the Northern Southland meeting at Ascot Park on January 17, trainer Phil Williamson said.
He hopes to pick up a few more wins with her before she takes her place in the breeding barn.
''We targeted this race because it had a nice stake with it [$9000] so it was nice to come here and get a win,'' Williamson said.
''We'll just try and work her up a bit through the grades. I think she can take another step or two.
''She's actually a really nice big mare and she's a pleasure to race.''
Supreme Mach set a new track record winning the fourth event, 1-win mobile pace. The son of Mach Three paced the 2200m in 2.40.5.
