Those were the words with which driver Samantha Ottley greeted trainer Kevin Fairburn when she returned their winner, Ruthless Kayla, to the birdcage at Oamaru yesterday.
The trotter booked her place in the 3yr-old trotters' Harness Jewels final thanks to a perfectly timed plan executed by trainer and driver.
Ruthless Kayla banked more than $7000 with her third behind Enghien on Friday night at Addington, but that cash did not count towards her Jewels qualifying tally, as it came in a sales series race.
So to add the possibility of more feature riches to Ruthless Kayla's bankroll she had to head to Oamaru yesterday, where she completed her mission.
The trotter's last-minute rush to qualify for Ashburton's biggest race day was more a case of bad luck than bad management.
Fairburn found Ruthless Kayla had ''got crook'' after the New Zealand Trotting Oaks in March, which set back her campaign, he said.
The 3yr-old is improving all the time since getting over that illness, which has Fairburn hopeful his charge will be an even better horse on Jewels day on June 3.
''Have a look on Friday night how quick she came out of the gate. If she drew handy in the Jewels she would go a good mile [1609m],'' he said.
The story behind Ruthless Kayla being in Fairburn's stable is as unlikely as her qualifying path.
Fairburn purchased the trotter's dam from the family of her Dunsandel trainer, the late Ewart Dawson.
Fairburn then bred Ruthless Kayla and sold her at the 2015 Christchurch yearling sales, thinking he would not have her on his hands on her again.
She was purchased there by Ross Simpson, of Amberly, who decided Fairburn was the best trainer to take the horse on. She was sent back to his property where she has remained for her racing career so far.
In winning, Ruthless Kayla held out Red Hot Poker, who confirmed his place in the 4yr-old trotters Harness Jewels final.
The Graeme Telfer-trained squaregaiter put in an effort worthy of his qualifying spot after he galloped away.
Saturday morning's dumping of snow across Otago and Southland added more chaos than Ruthless Kayla faced to Majestic Connes' quest to qualify for the Harness Jewels.
A closed Kilmog Hill meant trainer Phil Williamson was in a race against time to get to Ascot Park on Saturday in time for the race 1.
Quick thinking by Williamson to detour via Port Chalmers meant the horse transporter made it to Invercargill ''with no time to spare'', he said.
The worry of missing a chance to qualify for Jewels quickly turned to jubilation for the trainer as Majestic Connes went on to win and seal her berth in the 2yr-old trotters final.
Mosgiel owners Syd and Shona Brown had no such issues when travelling to Melton on Saturday night to watch Field Marshall win at group 2 level for trainer Tim Butt.
Despite giving his rivals a start, Field Marshall powered home to an impressive victory and, in doing so, beat up on Australian Harness Jewels invitee, Mr Mojito.
The Orange Agent made it a double for Kiwis at Melton by claiming the group 1 Queen Of The Pacific.
-By Jonny Turner
