Talented pacing mare Licinia has made quite an impact since arriving in Tasmania five months ago and her trainer Nathan Ford is hoping she can continue to improve with a view to tackling the state's most prestigious harness racing mare's race – the George Johnson.
Licinia has been to the races seven times for five wins and two minor placings with her latest victory little more than a stroll in the park for the four-year-old.
Licinia stepped straight to the front from the pole position and when Ford gave her more rein leaving the back straight the last time she forged clear and went on to score by almost nine metres from Xbolt with Bertils Delight two metres away third.
Punters didn't miss her as she was backed in to start the $1.20 favourite and she won accordingly.
"I liked this mare when she first arrived and she has continued to impress me the way she has gone about her racing," Ford said.
"I would like to think she can improve enough for me to consider aiming her at the George Johnson (mares' classic) but in the meantime we'll just keep plodding along."
"The Mother of Pearl is a nice mares' race in Launceston in a couple of weeks so that's where she'll go from here but that's as far as I want to plan for the time being," he said.
Peter Staples