A combination of precise judgment and a willing attitude produced the desired result when progressive mare That’s Funny scored a resounding victory at Awapuni on Saturday.

Early indications were that runners handy to the pace would have a distinct advantage on a testing heavy surface throughout the day and that looked to be the case as Avastin and Ram Sam Sam set down to fight out the finish of the 1200 metre New World Marton Handicap.

The pair had shot tothe front early in the run home with Avastin clinging bravely to a narrow margin after being wide throughout most of the rating 65 contest.

Enter That’s Funny and rider Lisa Allpress who had looked no more than a minor prize option as the business end of the race loomed. Calling on her mount for a sustained effort, Allpress got every ounce of co-operation out of the Road To Rock mare as she produced a powerful closing burst that carried her past her rivals in the shadows of the winning post.

“She used the whole straight to get there today so it was pretty nerve-wracking,” noted trainer Lydia Pickford shortly after placings were confirmed.

“She’s a nice mare who has always shown a bit so now that we’ve got her right after a few soundness issues she’s starting to put it altogether.”

Pickford, who also shares in the ownership of the mare, is confident that a rise in distance won’t put a stop to her charge’s burgeoning record.

“I think she will get over a bit more ground and maybe up to a mile,” she said.

“She hasn’t had a lot of luck over 1400 metres when she’s had her starts so I think she will stretch up.”

Allpress was quick to admit she had her doubts about her winning chances based on what she had seen earlier in the day.

“It was really against the pattern so far and I wasn’t that confident when I went to the start,” she explained.

“It’s really hard to make up ground so it was a nice effort.”

The win was the second of That’s Funny’s current campaign and third in an 11-start career to date.