Progressive mare Nancy She Wrote provided co-trainer Ben Foote with the perfect welcome home from a Gold Coast holiday when she came from well back to capture the Tanalised Mile (1600m) at Ruakaka.

Chantilly Lace will attempt to cap a series of eye-catching efforts with a return to the winners’ circle in the Scott Roberts @ Metcalfe Real Estate Handicap (1600m) at Hawera on Saturday.

Well-travelled gelding Family Folks launched a powerful finish from near the back of the field to collect his first New Zealand victory in the Mark Sanders Memorial (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Versatile performer Pacifico has hit a rich vein of form and another top showing on Saturday will earn him a crack at a richer winter prize.

Locals dominated the ITM/GIB Winter Championship Finals at Ruakaka in 2023 and 2024, but the tide turned in Saturday’s 2025 edition with Matamata and Cambridge scoring two wins each in the $60,000 features.

Imprevu will head north to Ruakaka for just the second time this weekend, and trainer Janenne Dalley is hoping she can capture the lion’s share of the $60,000 purse on offer in the ITM/GIB Sprinters Championship Final (1400m).