Consistent mare Alice Downs has struck a purple patch of form scoring at Ballarat in easy fashion.
Sunday’s victory was her second in three starts and importantly showed she loves the synthetic track which is likely to extend her campaign into the wetter months.
Trainer Vincent Malady said that while her Ballarat win qualified her for the Neville Wilson Series Final on Warrnambool Cup Day next month, she will avoid rain affected tracks.
“She doesn’t like rain affected tracks, so she won’t be going to Warrnambool,” Vincent said.
“We will try and find another dry track for her but she was impressive on the synthetic which also gives us another option.”
Until last month Alice Downs hadn’t won a race in 16 starts, but she could not have been more impressive winning as she liked the Sportsbet Loves Ballarat 0-58 Hcp (1400m).
Favourite at $2.70, she settled 2.5 lengths off the lead in fourth place on the rails and when hooked out three-wide into the straight the race was all but over.
Under hands and heels riding, she charged to the lead at the 200m and scored by 1-1/4 lengths from Lucky Compass ($4.20) and The Turffinator ($3.40).
Only three starts ago Alice Downs won her maiden over 1307 metres at Stawell before a close second at Benalla.
John Allen has partnered her to both wins.
“With less pressure today, she was travelling smoothly and was always going to let down well,” John said.
“It might not have been the strongest race, but she won easily enough.”
Vincent said Alice Downs, who was bred by John and Helen McPhee, was a delight to train.
“She is a beautifully natured mare with a brilliant temperament, and she deserved to get a couple wins this preparation,” Vincent said.