KEY POINTS:
The class of Crossyourheart shone through when she resumed racing on a winning note at Avondale yesterday.
The race was only a $9000 intermediate grade race but it was significant in that it was Crossyourheart's first start for more than eight months after suffering a lung haemorrhage.
The haemorrhage happened when she was fourth in the group two Matamata Breeders' Stakes (1200m) on February 24.
It was Crossyourheart's first defeat in five starts and followed victory in last season's richest race for two-year-olds, the $500,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Classique (1200m) at Te Rapa on February 3.
South Auckland trainer Richard Collett was delighted Crossyourheart had made a winning return after a long break even though the overall class of the opposition was not strong.
"It was good to get her back on track and show what ability's she's got," said Collett.
"She's a class above all those horses, even as ready as she was.
"She'll be a lot fitter for the run. She's still not anywhere near full race fitness." Collett, who trains in partnership with Shane Hapeta at Pukekohe, said his hopes had been high Crossyourheart would be hard to beat after winning a recent trial.
- NZPA
