It's Me proved worth the wait for Scone trainer Brett Cavanough on Tuesday at his home track.
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Cavanough's four-year-old mare was an impressive winner on debut in the 1000-metre maiden handicap, almost a year after her first trial at the track.
The daughter of 2013 Cox Plate winner Shamus Award raced midfield before having to make a sharp change in direction under jockey Ashley Morgan to get clear running at the 300m.
She then quickly overtook odds-on favourite Not Another Reiby to win by two and a third lengths running away.
The eye-catching win came after one quiet trial this time in at Scone last month when fifth. She had a 48-week spell before that, following her runner-up effort in an initial trial.
Cavanough was just hoping the mare would get around safely after injury delayed her race debut.
"Her first trial was good and then she stretched a tendon," Cavanough told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
"She had above average ability and they put the pressure on us a little bit, [owners] The Grand, about what to do with her.
"They rehabbed her and sent her away, and she come back.
"She had a soft trial here the other day behind Remlaps [Gem], just to stretch her legs and I said to Ash today just educate her, get her in behind them.
"Let's just hope she pulls up in one piece."
He was unsure how far It's Me would go.
"I haven't really pressed the button with her because of the little injury she had early days," he said.
"She got home in 33 [seconds for the last 600m] today and is a good sort of a filly."
The victory was one of three for Scone-trained gallopers on the seven-race card.
The Snooperstar, for Scone trainer Mark Schmetzer, narrowly beat the Scott Singleton-trained Rich And Shameless in the class 2 handicap (1300m). It was a third win in five starts for the four-year-old since coming to Schmetzer's stable.
Singleton earlier had a win with Remlaps Gem in the 900m benchmark 58 handicap. Remlaps Gem controlled the race throughout to prevail by two and a third lengths and make it two victories from three career starts.