Cambridge mare Enchanted Elle has seen a fair stretch of the North Island over the past week but that proved no concern at Awapuni on Saturday when she powered away to a decisive win in the Parliamentary Handicap (2200m).
The daughter of Jakkalberry had placed at Ruakākā the previous weekend and trainer Shaun Phelan was keen to back her up at Awapuni, and his judgement proved spot on.
Apprentice jockey Toni Davies kept her charge handy to the speed throughout and the pair pounced
on the turn, where Enchanted Elle proved too classy for her rivals, dashing away to a three-and-three-quarter length victory.
“She really takes racing,” Phelan said. “She is a really good doer, so we thought backing her up was the best option. She is a good traveller as well. She is pretty robust. That was her first win for this prep, so hopefully she is in good form now.”