The Western Terror entire scrambled away slightly from behind the tapes at the 2700m start point, but once he got into his gear and paced away, there was a sense of foreboding around Ascot Park. It was not just because he was safely away, but because driver Ricky May had camped himself on the back of his closest rival, Franco Ledger.
However, May was not sharing the same inevitable feeling as the crowd - far from it.
''He was actually struggling today - it was the worst he'd ever felt in a race,'' May said.
''He didn't feel the horse he usually does but I just think it was the conditions today.
''It's a real battle out there - wind, track, everything.''
May followed Franco Ledger and his driver, Hamish Hunter, into the race but even as the crowd watched Terror To Love pass no fewer than six horses in the straight, May was relieved more than anything.
''He won and ran a good half but we were flat going around the bend,'' May said.
''Hamish [Hunter] was too, so that made me feel a little better. I thought I was going as well as anyone else, put it that way.''
As May completed his earlier driving driving engagements he sensed Terror To Love might not enjoy the unseasonably cold and blustery conditions. Despite those misgivings, he was able to just shake the reins on Terror To Love as he strolled past a game River Black, and Franco Ledger, who put in an admirable run for third.
In the end, Terror To Love's class prevailed, as co-trainer Graham Court said, and he confirmed the plan of tackling the group 3 Summer Cup on February 1 is still on. Terror To Love will then head north to Alexandra Park for an Interdominion heat.
Springbank Sam will continue his march towards the 4- and 5yr-old trotting championship in late March - and his trainer should be back to 100% by then, too.
The 5yr-old was too strong in the $20,000 feature trot as driver Matthew Williamson gave him time to settle over the 3200m before sprinting past his rivals in the straight to win in 4.10.8.
Springbank Sam's trainer, Phil Williamson, has been nursing cracked ribs for 10 days after a training accident which he described as an ''occupational hazard'', but Springbank Sam's win put a smile on his face as he explained how son Matthew had worked the horse out.
''He's got [the horse] sussed,'' Williamson snr said.
''He's quite a nice horse and this was a step-up race for him so I'm thrilled with that.''
Williamson is in no hurry to launch the son of Sundon and Niamey at anything like the Rowe Cup.
''We'll just go one step at a time but will aim at the trotting champs next and then the Harness Jewels at the end of the season, and maybe we can take a look at the big time next year.''
The $20,000 stake attracted a strong field and for Springbank Sam to start off the same mark as The Fiery Ginga and Quality Invasion and swoop by the field suggests he will be a worthy addition to the open-class scene next season.
King Kenny was unlucky after running out of racing room in the straight and trotting home boldly against some experienced rivals when clear.
