North Island raider Xpression underlined why she is the favourite to take out next month's group one Gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) when she handed out a beating to her age group rivals at Ashburton yesterday.
The stylish Showcasing filly was heavily favoured to take out the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) and gave her supporters little cause for concern throughout the contest.
Regular rider Sam Collett had a virtual stranglehold on her charge as she looped the field on the point of the turn to issue her challenge before dashing clear to defeat Our Flying Ace with Fire Show a game third.
Co-trainer Grant Cullen, who prepares the filly with Guy Lowry from their Hastings base, was satisfied with the win as he looked ahead to a greater challenge at Riccarton next month.
"It was a nice ride as she got a nice track into the race," he said.