A positive front running ride and the return to his preferred track conditions saw freewheeling stayer Zartan make his way to the winners circle for the first time in his current preparation on Saturday.

The rising seven-year-old had put together an impressive record around this time last year when he strung together four wins from five starts before his form tailed off during the spring. The gelding had failed to flatter during his initial few starts this time in but a gritty runner-up finish at Waverley a week ago signalled he was returning to somewhere near his best.

Sent straight to the front by apprentice Madan Singh, Zartan set a solid tempo as he had his rating 85 rivals strung out chasing him throughout the entire 2100 metre journey of the day’s opening event at Awapuni. Despite getting tired towards the finish Zartan still had enough in reserve to comfortably hold out the challenge from northern visitor Permesso who chased him gamely in the run home.

Trainer Kylie Little was delighted with the win and the performance of Singh who matched the efforts of senior rider Johnathan Parkes at the gelding’s last start.

“He was superbly ridden by Johnathan at his last start and Madan has carried on the good work today,” she said.

“He loves the sort of track he’s struck out there. It looks quite loose and that’s what he needs to show his best.”

The victory was also a boost for Singh who has struggled for rides of late but made the most of his opportunity on Saturday.

“He was pulling quite hard so I just let him roll along and he travelled nicely for me,” he said.

“I tried to use the weight advantage I had with my claim as he only had 51kgs. I tried to get a break on them on the turn and the light weight was a big help to my horse.”

Little, who prepares a small team from her Opaki base nearly made it a double with Sir Kingwood finishing a gallant third in the open handicap 1400 metre contest later in the day.