When Wingatui Dew notched a win at his first start in Tasmania for Bridport-based harness racing trainer Grant Hodges the gelding's driver Erin Hollaway suggested he would need to mend his race manners to progress through the classes.
It would seem the training program is working because Wingatui Dew that pulled ferociously in the lead at his Tasmanian debut a month ago showed far better race manners to keep his unbeaten record in Tasmania intact.
Wingatui Dew settled in the breeze outside of Just Like Elle and travelled well to the home turn.
When Hollaway called on the five-year-old gelding for the big effort at the top of the straight he bounded clear and had no trouble fending off a serious challenge from Im Full Tilt that had enjoyed a cushy run on the back of the eventual winner.
Wingatui Dew ($1.30 fav) scored by almost three metres from Im Full Tilt with Future Promises about 13 metres away third, coming from last on the home turn.
It was the second leg of a winning double for Hollaway who also scored aboard lightly raced five-year-old Animi Sub Ignis from the John Castles stable that delivered a powerful finishing burst to score impressively in the McKillop Insurance Brokers Pace over 2200 metres.
The odds-on favourite Metro Mouse ($1.80) led from the pole position while Hollaway allowed Animi Sub Ignis ($19.30) to settle at the rear of the field from his wide second-row draw (9).
Metro Mouse dictated in front but Hollaway's charge was bolting down the back and still under a hold near the home turn where when the leader's driver Gareth Rattray started to feel for the persuader.
When Hollaway had Animi Sub Ignis balanced in the home straight the gelding powered home to defeat the favourite comfortably with Berri Damour edging John Snow out of the minor prize.
Peter Staples