Imposing grey galloper Helena Baby returned to his best form when he produced a gritty front-running effort to take out the Listed Powerworx Opunake Cup (1400m) at New Plymouth.
The seven-year-old son of Guillotine made a barnstorming start to his racing career in New Zealand when he put together a five-race winning sequence during the winter of 2019, including a victory in the Opunake Cup of that season.
After finishing third to champion mare Melody Belle in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) to close out that campaign, the John Bell-trained gelding transferred to Hong Kong where he had a further 14 starts, which resulted in a pair of minor placings.
Returned to the care of Bell this year, he has been given a slow buildup with two trials and four race starts before lining up in last Saturday's New Plymouth feature.
Taken straight to the lead by rider Darren Danis, Helena Baby set up a solid speed as he absorbed pressure from Deerfield as the pair duelled out in front.