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There looks to be plenty instore for promising trotter Eye Love You after her dominant maiden success at Cambridge Raceway on Saturday.

The daughter of Love You had all her previous outings at Alexandra Park and trainer Derek Balle was unsure how she would handle the left-handed way of going for the first time in the Off The Track Food & Bev Trot (2200m).

However, she quickly dispelled those fears, trotting comfortably at the rear of the field before being sent forward down the back straight by Balle to effortlessly take control of the race and run out a comfortable 4-1/2 length victor over stablemate Conrad H.

“I wasn’t sure how she would get around the bends left-handed, she hasn’t been flash around Pukekohe, but we closed the Murphy up a little tighter than usual and she trotted the bends really well, I was really happy with her,” Balle said.

“She is a nice filly who has plenty of ability, you have just got to get her doing things right.”

Eye Love You will now be freshened before returning to city racing later this month.

“We are going to give her a few days off and then she will step up to the next grade,” Balle said.

“That shouldn’t worry her as long as she is doing things right. We will probably go back to Auckland on the 20th of January.”

Balle was also pleased with the performance of Conrad H, who ran home well from the back of the pack to secure the quinella for the stable.

“I didn’t see his run, but I heard something was coming home alright. Zac (Butcher, driver) was happy with him,” Balle said.

“He probably doesn’t have as much speed as her, but he is learning and is getting better all of the time.

“He will either head back to Cambridge next week or Auckland on the 20th.”

Earlier on the card, Kimkar Dash showed signs of her former self when runner-up in the Taylor St Club, Join Now Handicap Trot (2700m).

“She trotted better. She is slowly getting back to what she used to be. We have had a few issues with her, but hopefully we are heading in the right direction,” Balle said.

k Balle’s season drought is over.

The talented horseman was relieved to record his first wins of the season, as both a trainer and driver, at Alexandra Park on Wednesday night courtesy of Sheffield Sparky and Kimkar Dash.

Balle’s stable has been going through a rebuilding phase this term and he said a fair number of his team were ready to resume right when the COVID-19 enforced lockdown put a halt to racing.

“It has been a while since we got one or two wins, so it’s good to get rid of that duck,” Balle said.

“We sold a few and sacked a few, we had a bit of a rebuilding season.

“They were all ready to go before lockdown and they are starting to come good now, so hopefully we can get some more.”

Sheffield Sparky started the night off well for Balle in the Cathy Gubb – “Movin and Groovin On” Mobile Pace (2200m), with junior driver Zev Meredith giving the son of Art Major the perfect trip in the trail.

He was able to take advantage of the passing lane and ran away to a 2-3/4 length win over even money favourite Silk.

“He was a fraction disappointing first-up (when finishing third) on the back of a couple of good trials,” Balle said.

“I freshened him up after that run and he hit the line nicely tonight, so I am very happy with him.

“He got a nice run tonight and it was a good drive by Zev, he drove him well last time as well.

“There should be a few more wins instore for him.”

Balle’s night got even better two races later when he reined home Kimkar Dash to win the Breckon Farms Trot (2200m).

The five-year-old daughter of Skyvalley was having her first run for Balle in nearly a year and he was delighted to get back in the winner’s circle with the mare.

“It was good to get her back on the track,” Balle said.

“She has always had plenty of ability, but she has just struggled with her weight and she was a little bit immature mentally so we have had to be patient with her.

“She was ready to go before lockdown, but we had to turn her out because we couldn’t work any horses at Pukekohe.

“But it hasn’t hurt her, she is nice and strong now and hopefully there is plenty more racing in her.”

Original article here.