It is an appropriate time of year for smart filly Sarah Burt, who won at Invercargill yesterday, to be showing form.
The Somebeachsomewhere 3yr-old filly's dam is a half sister to three-time New Zealand Cup winner Terror To Love, and scored her maiden victory just 16 days out from this year's running of the famous race.
Like her close relation, who missed the start in his famous 2013 cup victory, Sarah Burt had to do her fair share of work to win yesterday's opening event.
The Paul Court-trained filly and driver Blair Orange were caught three wide for the first lap of the 1700m event before racing parked outside the leader for the remainder of the race.
That tough going did not take its toll, as Sarah Burt went on to out-muscle fellow Canterbury filly Miss Big in the home straight and win by three lengths.
Blair Orange also combined with trainer Nigel McGrath to win with My Wee Man yesterday.
Another well-related 3yr-old took the last event on the Invercargill programme.
Franco Santino, who is by Christian Cullen from 10-win mare San Rafaella, scored his maiden win at start two for trainer-driver Nathan Williamson.
San Rafaella is a sister to former smart juvenile turned sire Raging Bull, who produced his first winner as a sire at Alexandra Park on Friday night with Bare Knuckle.
In yesterday's feature trot, Sundons Wish gained a deserved win after chasing home Dark Horse into second at Forbury Park last weekend.
