Racing: Enthralling makes impressive return

Enthralling overcame an 11-week break from racing to record a narrow but impressive victory over the fast finishing Darcybee at Ellerslie yesterday.

The 3-year-old, Volksraad-sired filly was given a dream sit close to the pace by jockey Andrew Calder and surged to the front midway down the home stretch lasting to win by a neck over Darcybee. A further three-quarters of a length away in third position was Starliner.

Enthralling was given a trial at Waipa by Tuhikaramea-based trainers Graeme Rogerson and Stephen Autridge before the event.

"She's got good form on an easy track and fresh-up I thought she'd run a very good race," said Autridge. "She's only a small filly but she's very honest and she stuck to her guns when getting to the front in the home stretch. I told Andrew [Calder, winning jockey] that he had to really ride her out when she worked into a challenging position because she's one of those horses that you have to keep working on until the finish."

Enthralling has been a useful performer for the stable scoring three wins and two minor placings from 10 starts.

New Zealand's leading training partnership has had a lean trot recently - this win being their first in a number of weeks.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY