Central Districts raider Lucyinrio produced a gritty effort at Ruakaka on Saturday to take out the main race of the day, the Trigg Construction sponsored open 1200m.

The stakes placed seven-year-old mare produced her usual trademark gutsy effort as she raced away in the closing stages of the contest after sitting outside the pace in the five-horse field for most of the journey.

Rider Trudy Thornton punched Lucyinrio to a clear advantage with 200m to run and she maintained that break on her rivals as she cruised to the line just on two-lengths clear of local mare Rikki Tikki Tavi, who started a warm favourite for the contest.

Effervescent trainer Kylie Little was all smiles as she waited for her pride and joy to return to the Ruakaka birdcage. “It's a long long way from home but today was worthwhile alright,” Little said. “We left her (Lucyinrio) up here with Denise Jeffcoat after her last start at Ellerslie so thank you to her as she has done a huge job with her. “It was a super ride by Trudy as well, just outstanding.”

Little intends to make the most of the winter meetings scheduled for Ruakaka over the coming months with plans for Lucyinrio to have her next start at the venue later in June. “She will come back here in two weeks' time (June 29),” she said.

Lucyinrio has now won five of her 38 career starts and has been placed on a further eight occasions including finishing runner-up in the Group 3 Red Badge Spring Sprint (1400m) at Hastings and third in the Group 2 Westbury Classic (1400m) at Ellerslie.