Kenton Wright Race Images
Gris Dame put a disappointing debut performance behind her when she ran up to her pedigree at Te Aroha on Tuesday to fuel ambitions for a loftier target.
The Reliable Man filly, a half-sister to the dual Group One winner MacO’Reilly, turned her form around to win the Te Aroha Stallion Placement Scheme 1400m after an inglorious first-up effort.
“We were a bit deflated after Tauranga when nothing went right,” co-trainer Jamie Richards said.
“We thought she was an Oaks filly so hopefully she’ll keep going the right way.”
Motivation completed a running double for the stable when he won the following event, the Continuous Stainless Steel 1400m. He made a winning debut off the back of a trial success at Te Awamutu last month.