Class filly Travelling Light displayed a brilliant turn of foot to down her male rivals in the Group One Woodridge Homes Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham yesterday.
The El Roca three-year-old had gone close to Group One glory when finishing third in the New Zealand One Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November after being thrust into the unfamiliar role of pacemaker that day.
Trainer Ben Foote and co-owner Col MacRury felt their charge was disadvantaged that day by not being able to show her dazzling acceleration so a plan was hatched to trail in behind in yesterday's contest.
Rider Sam Collett, who had to make the difficult decision to give up the mount of race rival Riodini, followed the blueprint to perfection as she sat back on the fence on a muddling speed before tracking up behind race favourite Harlech approaching the home bend.
Harlech took over with 300m to run and looked to be travelling comfortably however Collett was biding her time on her mount who was idling along behind Harlech and ready to pounce. Collett pushed the go button and the response was immediate as Travelling Light dashed to the front before easing to a comfortable one length victory over a game Harlech with Riodini battling on for third.
