Last season's impressive two-year-old winner Kerany looked to have benefited from an extended break when winning at yesterday's Wingatui jumpouts.
The Terry Kennedy-trained filly showed she was on target for her first race as a 3yr-old when winning an open 800m heat.
Kerany, who was a brilliant winner of her first start at Wingatui last season, will start on the same track on Boxing Day.
Kennedy said the horse had been in work for around four months after having an extended spell.
Kerany was turned out after getting being badly galloped on in her last start in 2yr-old company at Riccarton.
Kennedy has been patiently waiting for the right race for the horse to make a return.
Kerany looked good when beating older horses - who have won more races than her - in her jumpout victory.
Former North Island galloper Nasheeta also looked a horse to follow over the Otago summer racing circuit after her maiden 800m heat win yesterday.
The Smart Missile mare has had nine starts and was formerly trained by Tony Bambry.
Trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman looked set for their annual Christmas and New Year raid on Otago racetracks with two heat wins yesterday.
They produced Tee Cee Coup for a 1000m maiden heat win and a Coats Choice colt from O'Reilly mare O'Tryst for a 1200m maiden heat victory.
Results.-
Heat 1, maiden 800m: Nasheeta, C Campbell 1, Dundee Flag 2, Natural Destiny-Shiraz 3. Trainers: B&S Anderton. ½ 1L 1½ L. Time: 50.4sec. Seven started.
Heat 2, open 800m: Kerany, D Kennedy 1, Raise You Ten 2, Montserrat 3. Trainer: T Kennedy. 1 ½ L, 1L. Time: 48.4sec. Six started.
Heat 3, maiden 1000m: Tee Cee Coup, K Chowdhoory 1, Wardofthestate 2. Qashqai 3. Trainer: M & M Pitman. 1L, hd. Time 1.03.9. Six started.
Heat 4; maiden 1200m: Coats Choice-O'Tryst, K Chowdhoory 1, Baranos 2, Mister Mocha 3. Trainer: M & M Pitman. Lng nk, ¾L. Time 1.02.0. Four started.
