Handy galloper Blackwood Star made a welcome return to winning form when she charged home against the outside rail to take out the time-honoured Hallmark & Stone Parliamentary Handicap (2200m) at Trentham. 

The Dan O’Leary-trained seven-year-old had made a disappointing start to her new campaign, finishing well back in her two starts at Listed level over 1600m before tackling one of Saturday’s feature events. 

Rider Kate Hercock gave the daughter of Westbury Stud-based stallion Redwood plenty of opportunity to settle into a rhythm at the back of the field, before inching her way into contention at the 600m. 

The field fanned across the track entering the home straight with eventual minor placegetters Marroni and Pride Of Aspen settling into a battle for supremacy, however Hercock had Blackwood Star finishing powerfully to their outer where she swept past to win comfortably by just over a length at the line. 

O’Leary who bred and races the mare with his wife Jane Nugent-O’Leary was thrilled to see his stable star return to the top step of the podium. 

“It’s great to have her back,” he said. 

“She just wasn’t hitting out on the firmer tracks for her first two starts and that wasn’t good for her. 

“Her work has been fine, but I was wondering whether she wanted to really stretch out properly and we got that today as Kate had her in a lovely rhythm throughout. 

“Now the wet tracks have really arrived I think she can hold her form as this win will give her plenty of confidence. 

“In saying that I don’t have anything specific planned for her, we will just take it step by step as the opportunities present themselves.” 

Bred by her owners, Blackwood Star is out of the six-race winner Miss Ana and has now won four of her own races from 19 starts for just over $120,000 in prizemoney.