Karen Zimmerman had a spring in her step and a wide smile after King Of Ashford's effortless victory in the Anniversary Handicap yesterday.
The 5-year-old His Royal Highness-sired gelding unleashed a brutal home stretch sprint down the centre of the track to win easing down at the finish by 21/4 lengths over Pacific Dancer, with a further 2 1/4 lengths to the solid-finishing Native Song.
King Of Ashford has a huge reputation to match his physique and his ability as an equine athlete. The success could see him start favourite in the $150,000 (Group One) Thorndon Mile on the track next Saturday.
"He won very easily and it's pleasing to see him back in winning form," said Zimmerman.
"If he pulls up well and I'm happy with the way he trains next week he'll be back for the Thorndon Mile.
"He's a pretty exciting racehorse to have in the stable and I knew he'd go very well in this race.
"We were happy enough with his first-up run last week at Awapuni when he finished seventh behind Kristov and he stripped a pretty fit horse for this race.
"He jarred up in his shoulders earlier this season, so that's why I threw him out into the spelling paddock for a month. The break has done him no harm and he has a big racing future.
"After the Thorndon Mile, we'll chase the weight-for-age mile at Otaki and then we'll have to sit down to look at a few racing options."
King Of Ashford has been patiently handled by Zimmerman, scoring seven wins and three minor placings from 14 starts.
Pacific Dancer had his chance but could not match the explosive change up in speed produced by the winner in the home stretch and closed solidly to finish second.
