Kyneton based galloper Kahana, made amends for a string of near misses when she scored a narrow victory in the Quarry Restaurant Fillies and Mares Maiden Plate at Ararat.
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The Sue Naylor trained four year old had been unlucky of late, finishing second at Wangaratta and Great Western this preparation, before finally breaking through last Tuesday.
With Jason Lyon in the saddle, Kahana was allowed to race on the pace throughout, but still enjoyed cover as Cool Jes sped away at the start. This was a change of tactic for the Simon Morrish trained Cool Jes, which was to be ridden more forward as blinkers were being tried. Unfortunately, the mare tended to over race during the middle stages and in the end, she weakened to finish out of the placings.
In the meantime, Kahana had loomed up to be running second turning for home and she shot clear on the inside to record a half length win from Limber, with Coral Downs third.
Queen Extreme could not have been more impressive at her debut, winning the Kookaburra Motor Lodge Maiden Plate at Ararat.
The Luke Oliver trained youngster continued the pattern of leaders having a distinct advantage, jumping straight to the front in the 1100 metre event.
Queen Extreme kicked away at the top of the home straight and held her rivals at bay for an impressive debut win by almost one and a half lengths from I'm Mariah, with Welbilt a further one and a half lengths away third.
Former Sydney galloper, Hawaiian Princess scored her first victory on Victorian soil when she took out the Halls Haven Resort Fillies and Mares 0-58 Handicap over 1600 metres.
Now in the hands of Patrick Ryan, the four year, daughter of Irish sire Refuse To Bend, has shown a great deal of promise since making the switch. Ironically, she didn't debut for Ryan in Victoria, having her first run at Mt Gambier where she finished third and this was followed by Tuesday's impressive victory at Ararat.
With Alan Creighton in the saddle, Hawaiian Princess defied the earlier trend of wanting to lead, settling well back in the field early.
Creighton gave his mount every opportunity to settle and as the race panned out, her chances looked to improve.
Hawaiian Princess loomed up to challenge at the 40 metre mark and despite being bumped forcing her to become unbalanced, she shot clear of her rivals to win by three lengths from Towan, with Moon Aura, which was last turning for home, finishing a further six lengths away in third.
