QUALITY New Zealand-bred filly Followthewind gave another faultless display to score an emphatic win in the Smithawards Pace over 2090 metres at UBET Park Hobart last night.
Followthewind drew the outside of the front line (barrier seven) and was forced to face the breeze for most of the race outside of leader Be Good Franklin but the three-year-old made light of the task.
When driver Ricky Duggan straightened her up for the run home and he called on her to sprint she left her rivals in her wake and went on to score comfortably from Playstationking ($41) and Vishpala ($7.50) that almost hit the line in sync.
Followthewind ($1.25) showed a lot of promise last season winning two of her three starts as a two-year-old and she resumed two weeks ago with a game second to potential superstar Jerrys Jet in a 3C0-3C1 over 2090 metres.
Followthewind, trained by Rodney Ashwood at Brighton, is owned by prominent harness racing partnership of Barry Cooper and Jamie Cockshutt.
The filly was purchased in New Zealand as a rising two-year-old and has always shown above average ability.
There was good money for Vishpala firming from $21 to $7.50 and while she enjoyed a cosy run in the one-out-two-back position she ran on only fairly when eased three then four-wide to make her charge in the home straight.
The winner’s stablemate Playstationking ran on well after being held up at a crucial stage leaving the back stretch.