The tragedy of last week was forgotten by Ideal Belle's connections last night at Addington as she strolled to a 2 length win in the group 1 New Zealand Oaks.
The 3yr-old filly had blown her chances in last week's Nevele R Fillies final when she was checked and galloped on the turn, only to regather herself to run a slashing second to Venus Serena.
But there were no such worries for Clevedon trainer Barry Purdon, driver Zac Butcher or the large group of owners from the Auckland Trotting Club 2012 syndicate as Butcher pulled the daughter of American Ideal out of the trail to sprint past brave leader Raksdeal.
Butcher was glad to snare a deserved group 1 for Ideal Belle after the one that got away last week.
''It was a little bit devastating but those things happen in racing,'' Butcher told Trackside's Greg O'Connor.
''It's just a huge bonus to come back this week and get the Oaks.''
Favourite Venus Serena faded to fifth after a tough last 800m, which could see some easing in her price in the Harness Jewels future markets.
The 2yr-old sires stakes had been a race that had avoided the clutches of Mark Purdon since Major Mark's victory in 2010, but he and co-trainer Natalie Rasmussen righted that anomaly courtesy of Hug The Wind. Despite locking wheels at the top of the straight, Mark Purdon managed to get the 2yr-old clear to sprint home past Art Union and Say My Name.
Earlier in the night, Jivin Cullen drove a dagger through the Harness Jewels hopes of Border Control, nudging out the 4yr-old by a nose in the Winter Cup. Border Control needed to win the $17,5000 3200m event to make the 4yr-old male pacing division of the Jewels.
