Wayne Hillis left Ruakaka with feelings of both satisfaction and relief following Smartly's overdue return to her best.
The Matamata trainer put a frustrating time with the six-year-old daughter of Fast 'N' Famous behind him when she raced to a decisive victory in the ITM Whangarei Cup yesterday.
"Last time around she was always in form, but this time she has been quite disappointing," said Hillis, who prepares the mare with Shaun Kesner.
"We had her back worked on three or four weeks ago so that has obviously helped."
Such had been her efforts before yesterday that Hillis hadn't set any longer-term goals for Smartly, who already has black type to her credit with placings in the group two Japan-NZ Trophy and in the Marton Cup and Rotorua Plate (twice) at Listed level.