Former New Zealand pacer Im Compliant maintained his unbeaten Australian record with a tough first-up win in the C2/C3 Pace at Mowbray on Sunday night.
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Despite racing three wide for the last 1100m, the Rohan Hillier-trained five-year-old proved too strong for a handy field.
He scored by almost 8m from pacemaker Inner Light with Hayleys Comet 2.5m away third.
At his first start since March, Im Compliant returned a mile rate of 1:56.95 for the 1680m which more than pleased his trainer.
“I was very happy with that,” Hillier said.
“He needed the run a bit too.
“He probably wanted a trial but with none on this weekend I decided to come here for the mile.”
Im Compliant won five races in New Zealand before being purchased by prominent Tasmanian owners Barry Cooper and Jamie Cockshutt.
“Jamie found him – he bought him off the same bloke who sold Illegal Immigrant to my brother Troy,” Hillier explained.
“They’ve both been good buys and they weren’t dear, costing $20,000 and $15,000.”
Illegal Immigant had his second run after a spell in the C4/C6 Pace but had to settle for third behind another Rohan Hillier-trained horse, Rocknroll Turbo.
An easing $1.90 favourite, Rocknroll Turbo led and never looked in danger as he scored his ninth win from 13 starts.
He went slightly slower than Im Compliant, rating 1:57.33, but ran his last 800m in a quicker 56.65.
RISING STAR TOO GOOD IN SLIPPER
Wesley Vale trainer Paul Ashwood is impressed with recent stable addition Max Delight who led all the way to win the $15,000 Golden Slipper.
“He’s a good horse – he’s better than Majestic Emperor,” Ashwood said after Rohan Hillier guided the well-bred colt to a 16m win over the previously unbeaten Resurgent Storm with Evicus Stakes winner Karalta Moonshine 14m away third.
Majestic Emperor, who was also trained by Ashwood for owner Mick Maxfield, won 18 races.
As a two-year-old he won the $50,000 Sweepstakes in Hobart before finishing fifth to superstar Lombo Pocket Watch in the $285,000 APG final at Albion Park.
Max Delight began his career in NSW and won at Goulburn on debut.
He was pressured a long way from home by Resurgent Storm before drawing clear in the straight to win in 1:57.63 (last 800m in 57.37).
Star four-year-old Scooterwillrev broke the Mowbray 2200m track record when he won the last race in a 1:56.55 mile rate.
