IT appears the Amanda Turnbull stable has found itself another promising New Zealand pacer, Joe Batters.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Joe Batters ($3.10 favourite) worked forward in Wednesday night's NSWSOA Multiquip Pace (1,730 metres) and motored home on the bell lap to continue a strong start to his Australian career.
The Bettors Delight gelding has now won three of his four starts since journeying across the ditch mid-year, and his single miss was only by a matter of metres.
Isobel Ross has been in the driver's seat for all four races this season and she believed Wednesday's run rates as one of his best yet.
"Amanda's done a lot with him. He had two years off and he's gone good for us since coming back so hopefully he can keep going," she said.
"That's up there probably with his best run yet. The tougher we drive him the better he goes. He was in the one-one last week and only ran third, which was disappointing.
"We've sat him in the chair for three of his four runs and he's been winning doing it quite tough. He'll be a nice horse once he learns what it's all about."
Keep up to date with the latest sports news by clicking here.
Joe Batters was caught three wide early on before Mister Mysterious tucked in behind leader Sporty Frank, allowing Ross to move her runner to the death seat.
Sporty Frank and Joe Batters stayed side by side until the 300m mark where Ross' runner said goodbye.
With a couple of taps Joe Batters left the rest of the field to fight for second place.
Sporty Frank faded out of the picture on the sprint for home as Tim McGee ($26, Anthony Frisby) and Cambo Blaster ($8.50, Emma Turnbull) filled the placings.
"I was quite happy with where I was in the run," Ross said.
"I wanted to be in front or in the chair and I didn't want to be any further back than that. I was fairly confident coming into today."
Ross only had two drives at Wednesday's meeting but she made them count by winning both.
She added to her victory in the opening race by driving Josh Turnbull's Just Won More ($3.30) to success in the Knickerbocker Hotel Pace (1,730m).