Progressive mare Synchronize made her long-awaited return to the racetrack a winning one when she produced a sizzling home straight sprint to take out the Listed Handicap (1200m) at Pukekohe.
The Mark Walker-trained four-year-old was returning from an enforced absence after she bled when finishing well back at Taupō in August.
Two handy trial runs, including a second over 1000m behind stablemate Fashion Shoot at Avondale a fortnight earlier, had her ready for Boxing Day’s black-type assignment and she didn’t disappoint in the hands of South African pilot Craig Zackey.
Zackey settled the daughter of Savabeel near the rear on a hot speed and was still spotting the leaders several lengths rounding the home bend. Held up for one run at them, Synchronize hit top gear in a couple of strides as she burst past former Hong Kong galloper Green Aeon to win by an ever increasing two lengths at the finish line.
“I thought she’d go well fresh and it is just unfortunate that she bled in the spring,” Walker said.