Injury-plagued galloper Scott Base gave a glimpse of his undoubted talent when he dominated proceedings over the closing stages of yesterday's Group 2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga.
Successful in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) and the Group2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) when prepared by Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard, Scott Base was transferred to Jamie Richards last season after a long lay-off following an unplaced run in the 2018 Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings.
Having just his sixth start for Richards and wearing blinkers for the first time in his current campaign, the Dalghar five-year-old took up a handy position behind a solid tempo set up by race favourite The Mitigator and was travelling peaches and cream throughout for rider Danielle Johnson.
The class performer was bolting approaching the home bend and once angled clear by Johnson he put the result beyond doubt in a few big bounds, racing away to win untouched by nearly three lengths from the fast finishing pair of Polly Grey and Ocean Billy.
Richards, who wasn't on-course having kept him himself away after only returning to New Zealand last Sunday, was delighted with the result.