Jaspers Ayr savoured a very wet and heavy track at the Tamworth harness meeting on Thursday afternoon with all eight races on the program conducted in torrential rain.
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It was a case of the best mud runners in the Hygain Micrspeed Pace and Jaspers Ayr - after 36 race starts - was the one who relished in the conditions to break her maiden status.
"It has taken a while but she finally got there," said trainer and reinsman Richard Williams of the win by the little grey mare who has had 19 race starts for the stables.
Only small in stature the five-year-old Village Jasper mare had the best racing position while the rain was pouring down - out in front leading the field.
And of the racing conditions?
"I'm not a fan of racing in the wet weather so I was glad we were out the front," Williams said.
The three barrier suited Jaspers Ayr, who pinged out of the barrier to take the lead.
"She does have some good gate speed," he added.
"And it was the first time we had put her over the 1980 metres race distance - with the rain I didn't want to be anywhere but the lead."
Forest Force from the Stacie Elliott stables and driven by Tom Ison, placed the pressure on Jaspers Ayr during the race and did take the lead up the back straight on the final occasion but Jaspers Ayr felt comfortable underfoot and regained the lead and sprinted away from the field.
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"The race pressure probably helped me as it kept the mare keen," Williams said.
"Tom (Ison) was looking to go for home up the back straight and it surprised him that she (Jaspers Ayr) still had a sprint left."
"She is no slouch and it's good to see her get the win as she deserved it" stated Williams of Jaspers Ayr.
Jaspers Ayr also paid a handy $26 for the win.
Williams trains Jaspers Ayr along with stablemate FlightNFight for his parents Sue and Barry Williams at Tamworth.
It was close to both a training and driving double for Williams with FlightNFight finishing second in the Multiquip Hatchery Pace to Night Lights from the Jarred Hetherington stables and driven by Michael Formosa.
"We are happy running second with him - it is his gate speed that costs him - he always gets crossed at the start because of his lack of gate speed," Williams said.
Carrying the one saddle cloth FlightNFight raced in behind leader Mary Todd Shannon (Anthony Varga) before Williams found a split as the field rounded the final turn and was soon joined by race favourite Night Lights who went on for a 1.6 metre win.
"Both the horses are a shining light for the stables at the moment - it has been a real drought for us but they are consistent earners," he added of Jaspers Ayr and FlightNFight.
"They go out every week and have a go."
