The Phil Williamson trained mare is out of a trotting mare by the name of Jasmyn's Gift.
Sounds familiar? It should. Jasmyn's Gift won 17 races in a 48 start, 3 year career - including the 2006 New Zealand Trotting Free For All - when trained by Williamson.
So the formula is pretty simple, right? Breed to a nice sire with a smart mare and almost a year later, a foal will arrive.
Not quite.
Le Lievre's Gift owner breeder, Bev Williamson, said the first three breeding seasons for Jasmyn's Gift were not successful. The first foal died, Jasmyn's Gift missed the following year and slipped in the third.
And that is where the name Le Lievre's Gift came from, as Canterbury harness racing personality Justin Le Lievre was instrumental in the Williamsons opting for The Pres as Jasmyn's Gift's breeding partner in late 2010.
Le Lievre's Gift qualified in April, but Phil Williamson was in no hurry to get her to the races as a late 3yr old.
''When you own them yourselves, you can afford to take a little more time,'' he said.
The comprehensive 10 length victory means Le Lievre's Gift will step up to the c1 grade for her second start, but a twinkle in Williamson's eyes as he answered the query about her making the step up suggests he likes the mare a little bit.
''It's a bit of a jump up but the good ones can cope with it so here's hoping she can cope with that,'' he said.
Le Lievre's Gift's win will also boost her half brother's sale price at the yearling sales next year.
''He's a lovely horse and, hopefully, we can get a few good bids for him.''
Ashburton couple Dave and Gay Luke are no strangers to a good trotter either, having raced top squaregaiters such as Houdini Star and Prince Sundon in more than 20 years of horse ownership.
Trick Star might not be in their class, but the beach seems to suit the 8yr old, who has battled with a suspensory ligament. The son of Sundon joined Amber Hoffman's Westwood Beach stable in the winter, and had produced three good efforts under Hoffman's care prior to yesterday's win.
The Lukes have more than 30 horses at their property adjacent to the Ashburton racecourse, including Houdini Star and Prince Sundon who are living out their retirement in a paddock.
Igottastar is a long way from retirement, judging by her impressive last sprint in the c1 2600m pace.
Her trainer, Trevor Cleave, of Waimate, knew her run for 13th at Forbury Park in late April was too bad to be true after recording two wins and two placings in her four starts prior.
''Her blood was a wee bit out and she had signs of a bit of a virus, so we just backed off a bit,'' he said.
''There was obviously something wrong there.''
Cleave and driver Matthew Williamson took the daughter of Gotta Go Cullect to the Timaru trials last week, when she ran second to Sounds Swift.
''I thought she might be a bit underdone for today really. But she got a good trip and was well driven. What can you do but take the money, I suppose.''
