By Sue Newman  January 6 2010

They might not have had the slickest time for youngsters on the day, but the runners in the 2YO non winners fillies field at trials in Ashburton yesterday had the tightest finish.

Twenty metres from the finish Riviera Girl looked to have the race in the bag, but driver Malcolm Shinn hadn’t counted on a late and very strong run by the Colin De Filippi driven Miss Elsie.

 At the line four fillies were stretched across the track, virtually inseparable.

 Just a long stride by Miss Elsie in the final second pushed her a nose ahead.

 When it came to slick times, however, the clock favoured the boys.

 With three events for two year old colts and geldings, four horses in race one finished in under two minutes, with the Tim Butt and Phil Anderson trained and Anthony Butt driven Alta Ricardo taking line honours in 1.59.1, five seconds under qualifying time.

 The Allamerican Theory–Right This Time colt was on just his third trip from home stable and his training team was impressed by the way the youngster handled the day.

 While they said he still had a fair bit to learn in terms of how race day manners, the colt had been unfazed by his new environment and by his first encounter the veterinary team and a post race swab.

 Tim Butt bought the colt at last year’s yearling sales.

 Yesterday was his first official day at trials. He’s run well at two previous workouts and co-trainer Phil Anderson said he’s likely to have another trial before fronting up on race day.

 He has high hopes for the young horse.

 “He’s been a nice horse on the way through and he’s been showing plenty of ability at home.

 “We did expect he’d go well today,” Anderson said.

Pictured top: Count the horses then count the drivers – four wide and only the narrowest of margins separating winner Miss Elsie and second place runner Riviera Girl. Betta Move It and Dream Verdict came home a nose back in a dead head for third. - Photo Kirsty Graham 050110-KG-062

Pictured right: Aimee Edmonds with slick two year old Alta Ricardo, which impressed at Ashburton’s Chertsey Trotting Club trials, winning in 1.59.1 over a mile. - Photo Kirsty Graham 050110-KG-083