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Genuine mare Gypsy Fair looks set to take further advantage of her favourite track conditions in the coming weeks.

The Allan Sharrock-trained five-year-old struck for the first time in her current campaign when she was a tenacious winner of the Ekraar, Echoes Of Heaven & Giant’s Steps @ Linwood Park Stud Handicap at Otaki on Saturday.

“She relishes the heavy tracks whether they be loose or puggy,” stable representative Shannon Doyle said.

Gypsy Fair’s opening two runs of her current preparation had been solid with a first-up fourth behind the subsequent Listed Opunake Cup winner Longchamp and she was then narrowly beaten by Justlikeyasister, an in-form contender for next Saturday’s Gr.3 eStar Winter Cup at Riccarton.

“We were a little bit bullish about her second-up and she’s a year older and just needed that one more run to come up,”” Doyle said.

Gypsy Fair was in second spot early for rider Darryl Bradley before they took control soon after straightening.

Sir Kingwood emerged as the only danger, but the Falkirk mare wasn’t about to roll over and she rallied strongly to claim a nose decision with Bannockburn a distant third.

Meanwhile, Doyle offered a valuable insight into the progress of the stable star Kawi after he rode the Savabeel gelding to a 1000 metre trial win at Foxton.

“He felt great and he’s coming up super, we couldn’t be happier with him,” he said.

Kawi is due to resume in the Gr.2 Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate ahead of the defence a fortnight later of his Gr.1 Makfi Challenge Stakes title at Hastings.