Pres The Belle taking giant strides for Simpson

MOSGIEL trotter Pres The Belle continued her strong recent progression by winning her second consecutive race at Invercargill on Saturday.

The Darryn Simpsontrained mare edged out Ace Commander in a nailbiting finish to the feature trot to win her fourth race.

Beating a handy field of more seasoned squaregaiters showed driver Blair Orange how far Pres The Belle has come in her short career.

‘‘That was a big step up from pretty much racing maidens last week. She will have to step up again, but she can only do what she is doing,’’ Orange said.

‘‘The way her manners are at the moment are helping. She is off the unruly now and she is stepping away good and putting herself in the right spots.’’

Pres The Belle’s win moved to her 16th position in the qualifying rankings for the 4yrold trotters’ Harness Jewels final at Cambridge next month.

Enghien heads the leaderboard ahead of Smokey Mac and War Machine.

Ryal Bush trainer Brett Gray confirmed that Smokey Mac would head north for the Jewels.

Smokey Mac had been slightly below par in his last start on Diamonds Day at Invercargill but should improve from that race as he had spelled and not raced for a month leading in to it, Gray said.

Gray may have another Jewels starter after Full Noise impressively won on debut on Saturday.

The 2yrold shot in to sixth position on the Harness Jewels ladder with his impressive and professional win against older horses.

Thought would be given to trekking Full Noise north to Cambridge for the rich 2yrold trotting final, but it was only a possibility, Gray said.

‘‘We like him and I think he will be better next year and be a nice horse.’’

Saturday’s feature pace was won by another horse on the Harness Jewels leaderboard.

The Hamish Huntertrainedanddriven Maidonthebeach clinched 12th posi tion in the 4yrold pacing mares rankings with her win.

However, she was highly unlikely to make the trip to Cambridge, Hunter said.

Earlier on the Invercargill card, Oamaru trainer Brad Williamson scored his first quinella when Daiquiri edged out Zoned Scarlett in a junior drivers’ race.

Nathan Williamson was a notable absentee from the sulky on Saturday. The Branxholme horseman will be out of action for four to eight weeks after breaking his foot.