Lightly raced stakes winning mare Steps In Time kicked off her new campaign ideally by leading throughout to claim the Goldners Horse Transport Handicap at Canterbury on Saturday.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Not seen at the races since the Queensland Winter Carnival, Steps In Time regardless was sent out as a near even money favourite on the back of two solid barrier trials this month.
Steps In Time did not disappoint and under the guidance of Jim Cassidy made all to take out the $70,000 Goldners Horse Transport Handicap (1250m).
The latest success of Steps In Time was her third in a short six start career with the victory boding well for the autumn prospects of John O'Shea's Danehill Dancer mare.
“She has been looked after and hasn't been heavily raced at all. She has matured well this time in and is much much stronger,” Stable Representative Amanda Goode said.
“We were a little bit concerned with how the backmarkers had been coming home so far today but still thought she would have it. It was a heartstopper but she got there.”
It was a clinical win by the four-year-old who was sent to the lead with Jest Crewsin' and News Alert in pursuit.
On straightening Steps In Time kicked while main rival News Alert was the first horse beaten.
Fitness may have given out over the concluding stages however the mare had still done enough to win by a half length over Canberra galloper Onthelookout and Todd Howlett-trained Star Of Octagonal.
Suspended jockey Nash Rawiller who rode the mare in her two trials this preparation was replaced by another strong whip rider for today's event in the form of Jim Cassidy.
“She is a lovely big strong mare and John [O'Shea] was very confident today that she would do the job,” Cassidy said.
“He said be positive, be a bit aggressive and take it to them and we did that and got a nice win.
“She will take a lot of benefit from today's run, it was a good effort.”
Steps In Time will now attempt to further build on her black type résumé this preparation after recording two Listed placings late last autumn before becoming a stakes winner when taking out the Listed Daybreak Lover (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June 2011.
The mare now has three wins and two minor placings from six starts with prizemoney earnings of more than $180,000.
