Easy time for promising youngster

AN EASY start to the New Year is the reward for former New Zealand pacer, Gossip Girl.

Purchased by Chris Mifsud several months ago, Gossip Girl was shipped across the Tasman to join the stable of astute Victorian horseman Darren Pace.

Pace has given the three-year-old six starts for two wins and four placings, with her latest appearance resulting in a victory in Maryborough yesterday.

"She has been a great buy," Pace said. "A handful of her runs in New Zealand really caught the eye and so far she is living up to expectations.

"A couple of those runs in New Zealand she came home well, but here she has shown she prefers doing a bit of work, which is what she did again to win yesterday.

"In fact, both her wins have come after doing the work outside the leader."

With Pace in the cart, Gossip Girl outstayed her rivals to complete a two-and-a-half metre win from the pacemaker, Alanza.

Final Peace was six metres away third in 1:55.6 over 1690 metres.

"I'm more than happy with that run and everything she has done since she got here," Pace said.

"One of the downsides is she has stepped up in National Rating to be a 68, which is going to make it a lot tougher now.

"I know she is a four-year-old as of next week, but she has only had 13 starts.

"I haven't got anything specific in mind for her, so I'll give her an easy time for now and then look for a suitable race."