Brave mare Coastal Express displayed all her fighting qualities when she lifted herself off the canvas to score a narrow but deserved victory in open handicap company over 1400 metres at Awapuni on Saturday.

Trainer Karen Zimmerman, who shares in the ownership of the mare, was full of admiration for the five-year-old who recorded her 9th win from just 24 career starts.

“She is very brave and when she can get her own way in front she really has that fighting attitude where she doesn’t want anything to get past her,” she said.

“Nivesh (Teeluck) rode her beautifully as he had her relaxed and enjoying being in front and when they challenged her she just kept fighting.”

Like many others who watched the race Zimmerman wasn’t sure if the mare had got the winning stride in as she was hotly challenged by Authentic Paddy and race favourite Jubilate in the closing stages of the contest.

“Watching it live I didn’t have a clue if she held on so we quickly tuned to watch the television replay and although I wasn’t totally convinced I did think she put her head down at the right time on the line,” she said.

“She has done a super job all the way through and has won nearly $100,000 which isn’t bad for a horse that cost us only $5,000 to buy.”

Coastal Express was bought by Zimmerman at the Select session of the 2011 National Yearling sale at Karaka and will now be set for the Gr. 2 Cal Isuzu Stakes, a fillies and mares weight-for-age contest that will be held at Te Rapa on Waikato Times Gold Cup Day in December.