Prima Donna (NZ) (Super Easy) was a popular maiden winner at Wingatui for Andrew Carston, who trains the mare for his mechanic Tim Ford.

The four-year-old showed off her gears with an eight-and-a-half-length win in the Speight’s maiden over 2200m.

“She’s been building to a win so that was a great result,” Carston said.

“It was great to get a win for Tim and his family as she’s the first horse I’ve trained for them so we’re off to a great start.”

Prima Donna was purchased by Tim Ford as a two-year-old out of a gavelhouse.com auction for the bargain price of $600.

Carston said Prima Donna would return to his Riccarton-base where he will plot her next start.

“She likes the cut out of the ground so we will find a rating 65 race for her somewhere in a couple of weeks’ time,” he said.