Chase Auckland.
It may have been an inconspicuous appearance to most but Tim Williams' smile told a thousand words at Ashburton yesterday.
It showed that last season's Sires Stakes Final and Northern Derby winner was coming to hand nicely ahead of his imminent race-night return.
Unsighted in a tote race since his
emphatic victory in the Northern Derby at Alexandra Park back in March, the son of Auckland Reactor had a quiet time of it in the Ashburton workout, running mid-pack in a field of largely maiden pacers after a winning return at the same location last week.
Not really asked to extend by Williams, who stepped into the driving role for trainers Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen, Chase Auckland hit the line strongly and, most importantly, felt fantastic. "It was exactly what we wanted," Williams said. "He's had a really good blow and will take a lot of improvement out of the run."
What was clearly visible was the notable changes in the makeup of the talented pacer.
