Mosgiel trotter Pres The Belle did not just win at Ascot Park on Saturday, she absolutely bolted in.
Driver Tim Williams had the mare under a vice-like grip at the 400m and he barely let it go as she scooted away from her rivals to win the feature trot by more than five lengths.
The horse was having her first run for the season after scoring a hat-trick of wins that saw her qualify for last season's Harness Jewels for trainer Darryn Simpson.
Pres The Belle had just one quiet Forbury Park trial leading up to Saturday’s race and would definitely improve from her 2700m win, Simpson said.
"She will come on big-time. She has pulled up super and everything like that and she would have to improve.
"She had a quiet trial the other day and she felt good and just did what I wanted her to do, and I thought she would be better for the run.
"But when I worked her on Thursday she worked super and her heart rate was as good as I have ever had it."
Simpson will aim Pres The Belle at next month’s New Zealand Cup carnival.
Simpson is yet to decide on her programme there, and her leadup races.
"There are a few options. She could go to Tuapeka or there is a race at Methven.
"It is just good to get a race under her belt. She is probably going to need another one or possibly two before the cup carnival," he said.
Williams’s Ascot Park win backed up the excellent night he had in the sulky at Addington on Friday.
He drove Dream About Me to win the group 2 Canterbury Classic and Harriet Of Mot to win the group 3 Canterbury Park Trotting Cup.
He also won with Flyin Milly Mac and Muscles Galore.
Saturday’s feature trot, the Gold Chip Final, was won by rejuvenated trotter Amabede.
The horse came south from Waikato as an 18-start maiden at the start of this season and has upgraded his form in a big way with Balfour trainer Shane Matheson.
Matheson also produced the winner of Saturday’s fast-class pace when Balius scored, paying $24.60 for the win.
Ryal Bush trainer Peter Hunter also had two winners at Saturday’s meeting with My Georgie Boy and Unloaded.
