Mavis Merle continued her love affair with the harness racing track at Luxbet Park Hobart last night when she stormed home to win the Sutter Hanover Pace over 2090 metres.
Of the mare's eight career wins six have been on the spacious Hobart circuit.
The Bradley Walters-trained mare stepped safely from her 20-metre handicap and driver James Austin urged her forward early to face the one-out line while Last Guy Standing stepped straight to the front.
With a lap remaining Mavis Merle received cover when Austin eased back to ,allow Rockbank Dancer to slip off the fence to face the breeze but that was short-lived when Martys For Real also left the fence to take up that role leaving Mavis Merle three back in the one-out line.
But when Ricky Duggan opted to send his charge and race favourite Zumba Bromac ($3.60) around the field to head the three-w-de train, Austin stayed in on Mavis Merle ($4.10) which looked to be a risky move.
Last Guy Standing began to feel the pressure when it was applied in the home straight with Zumba Bromac about to claim the lead.
However, Mavis Merle was poised to pounce and when Austin angled her out to challenge she sprinted quickly and went on to score by over a metre from Zumba Bromac with outsider Tizyalator working home well to grab third ahead of Last Guy Standing and the luckless Sir Dasher Dee.
It was the Pacific Fella mares fourth win in six stats and given her ability to handle standing starts Walters is likely to target some of the country cups with the mare over the December-January period.
The mare has won eight from 32 with 10 minor placings for over $55,000 in stakes.
Peter Staples