More The Better's win in the group 3 Northern Southland Cup on Saturday was a case of mission accomplished for driver Tim Williams.
He steered the 4yr-old to a comprehensive victory in the 2700m feature to wrap up a pressure-filled two weeks.
Williams arrived in Invercargill after two weeks in the Waikato preparing the star horses of his employers, Mark Purdon and Natalie Rassmussen, for the Auckland Cup carnival.
Williams' work paid off when the trainers scored four wins, including the group 1 Northern Derby with Chase Auckland, at Alexandra Park on Friday night.
Twenty-four hours later, at the opposite end of the country, Williams produced three winning drives at Ascot Park on horses that have been at Purdon and Rasmussen's home base at Rolleston.
It is fair to say that after a whirlwind weekend and time away Williams is looking forward to home.
More The Better should gain good improvement from the race as it was his first since August and he is being set to peak for group 1 Easter Cup at Addington later this month.
Many 4yr-olds coming off two seasons of all-mobile racing can be risky from a standing start fresh up in their campaign. But More The Better has the manners of an older open-class horse - the grade where he looks to be heading.
''He is just a lovely horse. He has strengthened up again this time in,'' Williams said.
''He is like an old horse, beautiful manners, no headcheck. He is just a credit to Mark and Natalie and the way they have handled him.''
Williams guided Luby Lou to victory in the inaugural Southland Trotting Oaks on Saturday.
She barely looked out of second gear and easily accounted for runner-up and favourite Renezmae.
Her performance will elevate Luby Lou to being one of the leading chances, if not the favourite, for the group 2 New Zealand Trotting Oaks at Addington next week.
Williams also scored with 2yr-old Another Masterpiece in the opening race.
But he could not make it four wins when Dracarys galloped out of contention in the fillies' classic.
However, Purdon and Rasmussen were able to make it four training wins on the day as their other filly, Kayla Marie, won the race.
